Australia and New Zealand School of Government names new CEO
Queensland’s Ken Smith has been appointed the new chief executive and dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
Formed in 2002 by a consortium of governments, universities and business schools in Australia and New Zealand, ANZSOG’s aim is to improve the skills of senior public sector leaders in the two countries through research and teaching.
Smith has been based in London since 2011 as the Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa trade and investment commissioner for the Queensland government. He has held various senior posts in the Queensland government since the 1990s, including director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
He will take up the new post in May, replacing Gary Banks – one of the organisation’s founding CEOs.
ANZSOG’s chairman Finn Pratt said: “We are now embarking on our next stage of development, which includes expanding our work in executive development solutions and resources for the public sector, growing our work in the Asia-Pacific region and increasing recognition of our brand.
“I welcome Mr Smith to ANZSOG. He joins a team that includes some of Australia and New Zealand’s leading public sector faculty and researchers. Ken’s extensive experience as a senior public servant, combined with his vision for moving ANZSOG forward, make him an outstanding appointment.”
Smith said ANZSOG is a “unique platform to systematically address the skills and leadership challenges governments face”.
“The strength and capability of our public sector leadership and the higher education sector also provides an opportunity to share our experiences internationally – particularly in our own region, the Asia Pacific,” he added.
“Working in London and in a number of jurisdictions in Europe and Sub Saharan Africa over the last five years has demonstrated the importance of ongoing public sector reform and development to effectively manage and respond to the major challenges faced by governments within and across nation states. Australia and New Zealand can benefit as well as contribute to how the public sector is best positioned to respond to the many difficult challenges that inevitably arise.”
When Smith takes up his ANZSOG role, he will also be appointed enterprise professor at the University of Melbourne.
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About Ben Willis
Ben Willis is a journalist and editor with a varied background reporting on topics including public policy, the environment, renewable energy and international development. His work has appeared in a variety of national newspapers including the Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Times, as well as numerous specialist business, policy and consumer publications.
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