Catherine Livingstone to be UTS Chancellor

President of the Business Council of Australia, Catherine Livingstone AO, will be the next Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney, it was announced today.

UTS Vice-Chancellor Attila Brungs said Ms Livingstone's election would further strengthen the university's demonstrated performance and ongoing commitment to working alongside business in R&D, as well as in creating the next generation of Australia's skilled workforce.

"Catherine brings to UTS a vast wealth of knowledge and experience as a business leader at the highest level in Australia and internationally," he said. "This is combined with a deep understanding of the research environment here in Australia and a driving force behind our national understanding of innovation and its role in national prosperity. Catherine is one of Australia's few great thought leaders. Her experience and insight will be invaluable to UTS and the higher education sector."

Ms Livingstone said she saw the new position as an opportunity to play a different but equally significant role in helping Australia create future wealth and prosperity, and drive innovation.

"Our Prime Minister rightly says that change is opportunity. I believe Australia will only seize the opportunity presented by the unprecedented change currently sweeping the world, if its university and industry sectors can be far more effective collaborators," she said.

"This is a responsibility of both business and university, and will require a shift in mindset by both. This shift is already happening at UTS, and among their many partners in the Ultimo creative and start-up precinct. I am excited to be a part of that."      

Ms Livingstone is a Chartered Accountant and the current Chair of the Telstra Board. In 2014, she was appointed President of the Business Council of Australia.

She was the Chief Executive of Cochlear Limited from 1994 to 2000 and Chair of CSIRO from 2001 to 2006. She has also served on the boards of Goodman Fielder Limited and Rural Press Limited. In 2008, Ms Livingstone was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the development of Australian science, technology and innovation policies for the business sector.

Also in 2014, UTS conferred upon Ms Livingstone an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business in recognition of her commitment to leadership in design integration, science and technology innovation, corporate governance and her continued support of the advancement of women in business.

In 2014 Ms Livingstone was also elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences for championing science and technology and the critical role they play in the future development of Australia, and for services to the Australian Academy of Science. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Other recent significant directorships and appointments held by Ms Livingstone include:

Director, Worley Parsons Limited (from 2007), Macquarie Bank Limited (2003-2013) and Macquarie Group Limited (2007-2013), The George Institute for Global Health (from 2012) and Saluda Medical Pty Ltd (from 2013); President, Australian Museum Trust (from 2012); Member, The Growth Centres Advisory Committee (from 2015) and the Commonwealth Science Council (from 2014).

The Chancellor's role will become vacant following the announcement in August that Professor Vicki Sara AO will retire in February 2016.

"It has been a great privilege to serve as UTS Chancellor since December 2004," Professor Sara said at the time. "To be part of the university's amazing transformation and to be recognised as the highest performing university under 50 years of age in Australia (and among the top 25 globally) is an achievement the likes of which we can all be very proud."

"Vicki has been an outstanding and selfless leader, a true navigator during the university's incredible transformation as Chancellor, and a passionate architect and driver of our strategic vision," Professor Brungs remarked.

Between Professor Sara's retirement in February, and Ms Livingstone taking up the role in December 2016, UTS has elected the current Deputy Chancellor, Brian Wilson, as Chancellor for this interim period.

"UTS is truly fortunate to have a skilled and esteemed leader in Australia's corporate and finance community and a committed and long-term member of the UTS Council such as Brian to guide the university for the interim," said Professor Brungs.