THE Board of Directors of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has reappointed Larry Marshall as chief executive for a further three years. Dr Marshall joined CSIRO in 2015.  

David Thodey, chair of the CSIRO board,has commended Dr Marshall’s achievements. 

“CSIRO plays an important and unique role in the lives of all Australians as the national science agency. Recent events have brought this into sharp focus, including the devastating bushfires and COVID-19," Mr Thodey said.

"CSIRO is a great Australian institution that helps our nation respond to our changing world, anticipate the future, and deliver great science and research that benefits society, the environment, and the economy,” Mr Thodey said.

“Over the last five years, Larry’s leadership of CSIRO has seen our impact on Australia grow. We have seen significant progress across a number of areas including: growth in economic benefit for Australia from CSIRO’s science; a ten-fold increase in CSIRO’s equity portfolio; a capable and engaged team of scientists and researchers committed to serving our nation; and the highest number of partnerships with industry for 30 years.”

Dr Marshall introduced Strategy 2020 shortly after joining the organisation to focus CSIRO towards continued science excellence, while aiming to amplify the delivery of solutions from science - translating endeavour to initiatives that put science in the hands of the community, business and the public.

“The board thanks Larry and CSIRO’s 5,500 people for their achievements over the past five years," Mr Thodey said. "Under Larry’s leadership, our vision for the future of CSIRO will ensure our world-class scientific and research organisation continues to make an impact.

"We are delighted that Larry has agreed to lead the organisation in the next chapter of its history,” Mr Thodey said.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews thanked Dr Marshall for his passion in leading CSIRO.

"The role of science and the work of the national science and industrial research agency has never been more crucial after the summer of bushfires and during the COVID-19 pandemic," Ms Andrews said.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Dr Marshall across a range of important areas of science and industry research which will benefit all Australians."

Commenting on his reappointment, Dr Marshall thanked "Team CSIRO for their commitment and passion". 

“It’s a privilege to lead an organisation trusted by so many Australians. Our people are inspiring – committed to creating a better future for all Australians,” Dr Marshall said.

“While we have achieved much, there is more to deliver as we emerge from the current crisis. Our focus on delivering real solutions from science will help Australia grow to even greater strengths, just as we have seen before over CSIRO’s 100-year legacy.”

www.csiro.au

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A RESOURCES sector veteran of more than 20 years, who paved the way for job-sharing in senior roles, has won this year’s Queensland Resources Council/Women in Mining and Resources Queensland Resources Awards for Women.

Joanne Best, general manager of enterprise excellence and employee experience at Hastings Deering, was presented with her award before a record crowd of more than 900 people at the Royal National Convention Centre in Brisbane. on Thursday.

The breakfast, part of International Women's Day celebrations, was viewed by more than 1400 people remotely via a webcast in Dysart, Middlemount, Moranbah, Rockhampton, Blackwater, Mount Isa and Brisbane head offices.

Ms Best took home a $32,000 professional development scholarship awarded by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).

A mother of three boys, Joanne Best worked part-time for 17 years while leading major projects and teams on operational sites and in corporate offices.

With a previous employer, Ms Best was the first person to negotiate a job-share arrangement in a senior role, which led the way for others to better manage career and family commitments.

While at Hastings Deering, Ms Best has developed a program to drive flexibility, diversity and inclusion in the workplace called Together as One, on which she has also delivered a TED Talk.

“I have naturally started to shift from how do I not just do this for myself, but how do I do it for others in an individual way, through mentoring, through one-on-one relationships with my team and with my peers, and now through formal programs with Hastings Deering through our Together as One flexibility and inclusion approach,” Ms Best said.

“It’s simple, men and women want flexibility. Organisations that attract talent that way will keep talent that way and that’s the simple equation.”

Hastings Deering also won the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance award for its Together as One initiative.

Winners of the four other individual categories also took home a $5,000 scholarship from AIM, with a $3,000 scholarship to the leading female Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) student. 

“These awards play a pivotal role in our sector’s efforts to bring better gender balance to our workforce,” QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.

“More than double the number of women are now working in our resources sector in Queensland compared with 2006 when we began our Women in Resources Action Plan.

“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost 11,000 women now take part in every area of our business, from operators to trades people, geologists, engineers and senior and executive management," he said.

“It’s a testament to the hard work of QRC members who have incorporated gender diversity into their mainstream business plans. They recognise that with diversity comes improved safety, innovation and productivity.

“The competition for skilled people is also driving the imperative to attract and retain more women in our expanding sector so that it can continue to supply the world with the minerals and energy vital to our modern way of life.

“Our members have had a particular focus on increasing the proportion of women in so-called ‘non-traditional’ roles such as trades, engineering and executive management, so I congratulate Joanne on her work in this area," Mr Macfarlane said.

“In addition, our companies have supported QRC’s education arm — the QMEA — in its work to ensure more female and Indigenous students are equipped and encouraged to step into trade and professional roles in our sector.

"Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and thank-you to our sponsors, BHP, South32, AIM, Mitsubishi Development, Thiess, EY, Anglo American, and Peabody Energy.’’

2020 QRC/WIMARQ RESOURCES AWARDS FOR WOMEN RESULTS

EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN IN QUEENSLAND RESOURCES:  Katie Whittle, Shell runner-up. Jo Best, Hastings Deering winner.

EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY PROGRAMS AND PERFORMANCE:  Anglo American runner-up. Hastings Deering winner.

EXCEPTIONAL TRADE/TECHNICIAN/OPERATOR:  Belinda Maihi, Rio Tinto highly commended. Demi Keating, BHP runner-up. Conal Hearps, Peabody winner.

EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN IN EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND RESOURCES: Niki Spurway, Rio Tinto runner-up. Caoilin Chestnutt, Siecap winner.

EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG WOMAN IN QUEENSLAND RESOURCES: Claire Chauvier, Glencore MIM highly commended. Tammy Eiser, BHP runner-up. Kathryn Young, BHP winner.

GENDER DIVERSITY CHAMPION IN QUEENSLAND RESOURCES; Shane Johnson, South32 finalist. Donna Lynn, BHP finalist. Jedda Malone, South32 finalist Jayson Smeeton, BHP winner.

EXCEPTIONAL FEMALE QMEA STUDENT: Siena Linforth, Chanel College highly commended. Bailey Stoodley, Somerville House highly commended. Kassandra Palmer, Kirwan State High School runner-up. Liva Wood, Wavell State High School winner.

www.qrc.org.au

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ENTERPRISE cloud computing group Nutanix has appointed Lee Thompson as managing director of Nutanix for Australia and New Zealand. 

Based in Sydney, Mr Thompson will be responsible for driving customer acquisition and continued expansion of the company’s regional presence, with a focus on commercial and enterprise customers.  

Mr Thompson’s comprehensive experience and cloud credentials should be a significant boost for Nutanix. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in Asia, Europe, North America and Australia to the role and joins after a short tenure at EziHub Australia as interim chief operations officer.  

Prior to that he led Oracle/NetSuite as group vice president for the Japan Asia-Pacific region and was senior vice president of corporate sales at Salesforce Asia-Pacific – roles that together provided over a decade of frontline cloud exposure and experience. Mr Thompson has also held senior managerial positions at Borland, Artisoft and Pilot Software. 

“We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the way corporate Australia and New Zealand does, and will do, business in the future.” Mr Thompson said. “Recent events have shown the importance of technology, and the critical role that cloud and hyper-converged infrastructure will play in helping secure our economy in the future. 

“As the region looks to develop a new technology infrastructure for a post-COVID-19 world, Nutanix will be in a prime position to help support and navigate that transformation.” 

Mr Thompson will report directly to Nutanix vice president for South Asia Pacific, Neville Vincent.

“Lee’s breadth of experience, international exposure and intimate understanding of the challenges facing modern businesses will help accelerate our A/NZ business to the next level,” Mr Vincent said.

“We have an outstanding, energised and highly motivated team already in place eager for the guidance and direction Lee can provide. Under his stewardship, we are confident we will be better placed to help A/NZ businesses adapt to the new post-pandemic reality.”

Mr Thompson’s appointment comes as Nutanix ramps up investment in the region. The company has increased its presence across both countries, expanded its sales and support teams and accelerated its customer acquisitions with more than 30 government agencies and some of the region’s largest and most prominent enterprises, including 20 of the ASX top 100.

www.nutanix.com

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THE Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) recently appointed  Richard Palmer to its board of directors.

AMGC chairman Paul Cooper said Mr Palmer brought “a depth of expertise that is the perfect complement to the current team’s experience in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, and technology innovation”. 

“We are delighted to strengthen AMGC’s board with the diversity and financial expertise that Richard brings to support and develop Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector," Mr Cooper said.

“Richard joins myself, Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk, Dr Jens Goennemann, and company secretary Sarah Boase on the board.

“As we continue to work to deliver our strategic goals, Richard will provide valuable perspectives to the board and for our members. We look forward to working with him,” Mr Cooper said.

Mr Cooper said Mr Palmer has had more than 25 years experience in a variety of board roles and has worked with venture capital funds in New Zealand, Australia and Europe. He has extensive investment management experience in the private equity sector and is the chairman of business mentoring organisation, The Executive Connection.

Mr Palmer is a law graduate from Victoria University, New Zealand, and has received a masters degree in business administration with distinction from Bristol University, UK.  

AMGC chairman Paul Cooper has had 25 years’ manufacturing industry experience as owner and executive chair of Rinstrum, an industrial electronics manufacturing company. Rinstrum is based in Brisbane and actively exports to global markets with subsidiaries in the US, Germany, India and Sri Lanka.

Other board members include Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk, the global manufacturing and procurement director at Dyson, and is recognised for her extensive industry experience. Ms Shi-Verdaasdonk has been a member of the AMGC Board since 2018 and previously held management positions at organisations including Philips Lighting, PepsiCo, Ford Motor Company and Electrolux. She has a bachelor of aerospace engineering, a bachelor of aviation science and a masters of engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Jens Goennemann, the AMGC CEO, has been managing director of AMGC since 2016. He brings extensive experience overseeing large manufacturing operations in Australia and Europe. Dr Goennemann  served as managing director of Airbus Group Australia Pacific and Airbus Helicopters. Before his eight-year appointment to Australia, Dr Goennemann  spent six years in Germany with the former European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), today known as Airbus Group. 

He was head of the CEO’s office in Germany, and before that in charge of Soldier and Parafoil Systems within the Defence Division. Previously, Dr Goennemann  spent two years in Athens where he established and managed the Eurofighter Office of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, one of the three founding partner companies of EADS. He began his career with Daimler-Benz AG in January 1996.

Sarah Boase is AMGC’s company secretary. Ms Boase joined AMGC in 2016 and oversees all board activities and company administration.

Ms Boase previously worked for Airbus Group Australia Pacific and held a board position at Safeskies Australia. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

www.amgc.org.au

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