Welcome to People on the Move, Education Matters’ bulletin to keep the Australian education sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes.
If you’d like to tell the sector about a new person in your school, company, institute or not-for-profit, please send the person’s name, position, image and a short description about their role to editor Rhiannon Bowman for consideration at rhiannon.bowman@primecreative.com.au.
Education Services Australia appoints new board chair
Vicki Baylis has replaced Diane Joseph as Education Services Australia board chair, effective from 1 March. Beginning her career as a classroom teacher, Ms Baylis then served the Queensland and Northern Territory Departments of Education, was chair of the Australian Education Senior Officials Committee (AESOC) and of the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Education Advisory Group to AESOC. She has served on the ESA board for the past year.
Flexischools expands executive team
Online school ordering platform, Flexischools, has appointed James Biddle as Head of Growth. Prior to joining Flexischools, Mr Biddle was Global Sales and Marketing Director at ClickView for eight years, overseeing its Australian, UK and US operations. He has also consulted for the Australian Edtech peak body, EduGrowth, and for numerous EdTech startups including Inquisitive and Life Skills Go.
Science & Technology Australia announces new CEO
Ryan Winn joins the nation’s peak body for scientists and technologists after a career in the public service driving complex policy issues, including within both the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Education. He is currently CEO of the Australian Council of Learned Academies, a role he has held since 2019. He starts his new role in May.
Acting CEO steers ACARA into new year
Stephen Gniel joined the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) as its acting CEO in November 2023, following the resignation of David de Carvalho. Gniel was seconded into the role from Victoria where he is CEO of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. His secondment into the role extends until the recruitment process is complete and a new appointment commences.
Minister for Small Business moves to Education portfolio
Queensland premier Steven Miles appointed Di Farmer Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice in December 2023. Her responsibilities include state schooling, early childhood education, higher education, non-state school funding and youth justice. She previously served as Minister for Small Business and replaces Grace Grace as Minister for Education.
New president leads Australian Secondary Principals’ Association in 2024
Former principal Andy Mison has succeeded Andrew Pierpoint as president of the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (ASPA), taking over in October 2023. Mison has previously contributed to the development of the Australian Curriculum in the arts and the implementation of remote learning and vaccination initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grok Academy appoints first Chief Strategy Officer
Grok Academy has appointed former Commonwealth Bank executive Martha McKeen to Chief Strategy Officer. In this newly created position, McKeen is responsible for achieving Grok’s vision of enabling teachers to confidently deliver the digital technologies curriculum to all students around Australia with free, classroom-ready resources and ongoing teacher professional development.
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership appoints Acting CEO
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Board has appointed its Deputy CEO, Edmund Misson, as acting CEO, following the resignation of Mark Grant. Misson has been with AITSL for almost the entire life of the organisation, and has extensive experience in the education sector. Grant resigned in January to take up the role of Deputy Secretary (Chief Operating Officer) at the NSW Department of Education.
New CEO at Early Learning Association Australia
The Early Learning Association of Australia (ELAA) named Andrew Cameron as its new CEO in November 2023. ELAA is the national peak body championing excellence and equity in early childhood education and care, and supporting parents and service providers. Prior to joining ELAA, he was CEO of work-integrated social enterprise Helm, which supports 15–24-year-olds.
Not-for-profit finds new CEO in its ranks
Australian Schools Plus welcomed Sherrill Nixon as new CEO in November 2023, continuing its strong commitment to equity in education for all Australian children. Nixon, who joined Schools Plus in 2014, has led its donor relations team to raise over $62 million in philanthropic support to help children and young people facing disadvantage thrive at school. Nixon succeeds Schools Plus’ founding CEO Rosemary Conn.
Inaugural Director of First Nations Education
Edmund Rice Education Australia’s Flexible Schools has appointed Waanyi- Gangalidda and Wankamadla woman Elizabeth (Liz) Kupsch as its inaugural Director of First Nations Education. Kupsch has worked in education and Indigenous affairs at organisations including Reconciliation Australia, the CSIRO, Education Queensland and the Stronger Smarter Institute.
