Veteran public servant Anthony Murfett will join the Australian Research Council as deputy CEO in January, ending 15 years with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR).
Mr Murfett joined DISR’s predecessor in 2011 and helped found the Australian Space Agency – which he led over four years to 2021 – before returning to the department, first as head of the Technology and Digital division, and then its International Strategy and National Security division.
In a LinkedIn post announcing the role change, Mr Murfett said “It’s been a privilege to work for the department over this time, and I can truly say I’ve covered the breadth of the portfolio”.
Mr Murfett will replace Clare Forsyth, who has served as the ARC’s Acting deputy CEO since January.
The federal government has appointed Dr Scott Farrell as the new Data Standards Chair for Digital ID and Consumer Data Right.
Dr Farrell, widely considered the “godfather” of the CDR scheme, is an expert on Australian banking frameworks and has previously chaired reviews into open banking, payments systems and the CDR itself.
He will serve a two-year period, replacing Dr Ian Oppermann, who will depart the Data Standards Chair role well ahead of his contracted 2027 exit date.
Dr Oppermann has been appointed to a five-year term as a Commissioner at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
“We look forward to drawing on his technological and data acumen including around the use of AI in Government,” ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.
The Commission said current commissioner and chair of its Infrastructure and Communications Committee and the Energy Markets Board, Anna Brakey, has also been appointed for a second five-year term.
Wyatt Roy will exit his role as head of innovation with Saudi Arabian mega project developer NEOM after two years.
The half-trillion-dollar NEOM project, spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, includes controversial development The Line, which the Financial Times last month reported will likely never be completed in full.
Mr Roy was the federal Liberal Party MP for the Queensland electorate of Longman from 2010 to 2016 and served for almost a year as Assistant Minister for Innovation.
Michael Azrak will join pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk as its new general manager for Oceania, with the former Moderna executive due to start January 12.
Mr Azrak was the founding GM of Moderna Australia, taking on the role at the tail end of the pandemic. He was instrumental in establishing domestic vaccine manufacture for the pharmaceutical giant.
The New South Wales government has announced the appointment of Christopher Brown, Damian Kassabgi and Elizabeth McNamara to the Bradfield Development Authority Board.
The Authority is tasked with transforming the suburb of Bradfield, adjacent to Western Sydney International Airport, into an innovation and tech hub as part of government plans for a Western Sydney aerotropolis.
Mr Kassabgi recently stepped down as chief executive of the Tech Council of Australia.
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia has appointed Skye Cappuccio as its next CEO. Ms Capuccio will step into the role from February 3, having served as CEO of Optometry Australia for the last 13 years.
Former COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat resigned in August.
Jim Haden, the CEO of Sydney-based laser diode manufacturer BluGlass, will take on the role of executive director at the company as part of a board refresh designed to bring its leadership structure in line with best practice in the United States.
Mr Haden joined BluGlass as president in September 2021, and replaces non-executive director Jean Michel Pelaprat.
Government business enterprise the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) has appointed Alex Walsh as acting CEO.
Mr Walsh began his career at Rolls Royce in the 80s, later joining British Energy and BAE Systems. He is currently ASC’s chief nuclear and capability officer and chief operating officer multi-class sustainment delivery.
Engineers Australia has announced long-serving board member Tom Goerke as its new president and board chair. He succeeds Dr Raj Aseervatham who has served as EA board chair since January 2024.
Mr Goerke also currently serves as chair of Western Australian industry sustainability hub HOSX.
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