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New Appointment to CSIRO Board
20 October 2011. Dr Don Rusell has been appointed to the CSIRO Board. Announcing his appointment today, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said Dr Russell’s deep understanding of the workings of Government would be of great value to the CSIRO Board.
"His appointment will boost links between CSIRO and Government portfolios and agencies and bolster CSIRO’s ability to meet challenges over the coming five years," Senator Carr said. "Dr Russell has been an independent chair of State Super, a trusted advisor to Paul Keating in his position as Treasurer and Prime Minister and is a former Ambassador to the United States. "His strong foundation in economics and his experience on a range of boards and councils will position him well to contribute to the corporate governance of CSIRO." Dr Russell will remain a member of the CSIRO Board for as long as he is Secretary of the Department, or until 2016. "I congratulate Dr Russell on his appointment and look forward to his contribution to the Board, in support of the important work done by CSIRO," Senator Carr said. The CSIRO Chairman, Mr Simon McKeon, also welcomed the appointment. "The Board looks forward to working with Dr Russell, who brings tremendous skills and experience, as well as the important government connections to further CSIRO’s performance in pursuit of its strategy," Mr McKeon said. Senator Carr and Mr McKeon thanked the Hon John Kerin AM, the outgoing CSIRO Board member, for his contribution since 2008. "Mr Kerin has provided significant support to the CSIRO Board, particularly in the area of corporate governance," Senator Carr said. The CSIRO is Australia’s premier science and research organisation, with a rich history of tackling complex national problems for the good of all Australians. For more information on the CSIRO visit www.csiro.au
Biographical details for Dr Russell are attached.
Dr Russell Biography
Dr Don Russell became Secretary of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on 20 June 2011.
He was previously Independent Chairperson of State Super, a role that he held from 1 January 2008. State Super is a $32 billion fund that manages public service defined benefit schemes for the NSW State Government.
He was appointed Chair of the Investment Committee of LUCRF, a Melbourne based superannuation fund from 1 September 2010.
Until March 2010, Dr Russell was the Global Investment Strategist at BNY Mellon Asset Management Australia. Before joining BNY Mellon in 2007, he was Executive Director with WestLB Mellon Asset Management (Australia). He joined WestLB in 2001.
Between 1997 and 2000 he worked for Sanford C. Bernstein in New York.
Between 1985 and 1993, and again in 1996, he was Principal Adviser to the Hon Paul Keating during his time as Treasurer and Prime Minister.
Between 1993 and 1995 he served as Australia's Ambassador to the US in Washington.
Dr Russell also worked for the Commonwealth Treasury, joining as a cadet; when he joined Mr Keating's Office in 1985 he was Assistant Secretary, Economic Branch, responsible for economic forecasts and assessments of the Australian economy.
Dr Russell has been a consultant to the World Bank, Bankers Trust, Westpac Bank and Counsellor in the Australian delegation to the OECD in Paris.
He has a PhD from the London School of Economics, a MEc from the ANU and a BEc (Hons) from Flinders University. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA) 2007
r Don Russell, Secretary of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has been appointed a part-time member of the CSIRO Board.
