Archived News for Executives and Senior Management

Renowned financial journalist and media entrepreneur Alan Kohler has stepped down from his position of Chair of the Board of Melbourne University Publishing. Former Provost and Executive of the University of Melbourne, Professor Peter McPhee, will replace Mr Kohler.

Professor McPhee, who is a Professorial Fellow of the University, will assume the role after Mr Kohler announced he would not renew his contract.

An alumnus of Melbourne, Professor McPhee has held a Personal Chair in History since 1993. His senior roles at the University have included Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Academic Board President.

MacKenzie to step down from Pacific Brands

James MacKenzie has announced he will stand down from the role of chairman of Pacific Brands after serving four years in the role.

New Country Head of BlackRock Australia

International management specialist BlockRock has announced the appointment of Justin Arter as the company’s new Country Head of its Australian operations.

Non-executives bid a Hastie retreat

Two of Hastie Group’s non-executive directors have stepped down from their positions after the group spirals into liquidation.

Rann to head Board of Low Carbon Australia

Former South Australian Premier, Mike Rann, has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Lower Carbon Australia.

CEO of Prima Biomed to step down

Australian cancer treatment company, Prima Biomed, has announced its CEO Martin Rogers, will step down from August 31, but will remain on the board as a non-executive director. Mr Rogers has been in the position for four and a half years.

Monash Vice-Chancellor term extended

Monash University Council has extended the term of the current Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Edward Byrne until the end of 2017.

University Chancellor, and Chair of the Monash University Council, Dr Alan Finkel said that since commencing in mid-2009 Professor Byrne had introduced and led a range of significant initiatives and strategies that had strengthened and advanced Monash University both nationally and internationally.

“Perhaps the most recent example of his record of success is the establishment of the Southeast University-Monash University Joint Graduate School in Suzhou, China. The finalisation of the agreement with the Chinese Government in April marked the first time an Australian university has been granted a licence to operate in China.”

Under Professor Byrne’s guidance the University cemented in February a first-of-its-kind alliance with the University of Warwick. The partnership aims to produce global graduates, and will allow the universities to jointly undertake research that will address problems that have proved too big for any one institution to address.

Professor Byrne was a founding director of the Melbourne Neuromuscular Research Unit and the Centre for Neuroscience in 1993. He was made Professor of Experimental Neurology at the University of Melbourne in 2001. He first came to Monash University as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, a role he held from 2003 until 2007.

Professor Byrne was then appointed the Vice Provost (Health) at University College London. He held that position until he became Monash University’s eighth Vice-Chancellor in 2009.

New Managing Director for Western Water

One of the Victorian Water industry’s most experienced and well-regarded leaders has been appointed Managing Director of Western Water, Board Chairman Terry Larkins has announced.

Walker steps down as Cougar's CEO

Cougar Energy has announced that its CEO, Dr Len Walker, will step down from his position, but will remain as the company’s Executive Director.

Boral CEO steps down

The Chief Executive of Boral, Mark Selway, has stepped down, effective immediately, after two years in the position. Ross Batstone, currently Division Managing Director Boral Building Products, has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer while a successor to Mr Selway is recruited.