We have a few staffing announcements to share with you this week.
DVC(RI)
After a competitive recruitment process, Professor Lachlan Blackhall has been appointed the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation). He will start the two-year appointment on Monday 26 February.
Professor Blackhall is currently Entrepreneurial Fellow and Head of the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program (BSGIP) at ANU and his research and development activities are focussed on supporting and accelerating the global energy transition to address the existential challenges of climate change.
He has shown excellence and leadership in research for over 15 years and has considerable expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship having founded or co-founded several successful startups. As a student at ANU he co-founded an entrepreneurship education program that has engaged thousands of university staff and students and catalysed the formation of numerous high-tech startups.
We want to thank Professor Ann Evans for stepping into the role as Interim DVC (R&I).
When she returns to her substantive role Ann will assume the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate Research) which will encompass her former role of Dean, Higher Degree Research.
As part of the same process, Professor Ute Roessner will become Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Initiatives and Infrastructure).
These changes will also come into effect from Monday 26 February.
New Chair - Academic Board
On Friday 9 February, Council appointed Professor Tony Connolly, Dean of the ANU College of Law as the new Academic Board Chair. Professor Connolly will commence his two-year term effective from 15 February 2024.
Tony has been a member of Academic Board since 2020, the past two as Deputy Chair, and is not only a highly regarded legal scholar but brings with him a wealth of experience in senior management roles at ANU and a deep understanding of the role of the Academic Board.
We thank Professor Joan Leach who has been Chair of Academic Board since 2020 and has made a significant contribution to the Board and the University during this time.
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Vibo Chandrasekera has been appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer and will commence the role from 15 March.
Vibo joined ANU as Deputy CFO in July 2021 having worked at the University of Sydney for three years as an Associate Director of Finance. Since joining ANU, Vibo has been leading the Financial Planning and Analysis and Finance Systems team. Vibo also led the Finance Shared Services team before it moved to the Division of Shared Services.
Vibo’s experience, prior to the Higher Education sector includes 17 years in various roles across Audit, Consulting, Banking and Corporate services sectors.
Vibo will be continuing the great work Anna Tsikouris began in this role as the search for the substantive CFO continues. That recruitment process is progressing well and is in the final stages this month with an expected appointment decision in March.
To stay connected to our community and leadership team, keep reading On Campus every Tuesday for updates on key new appointments and movements.
