Fred Hilmer appointed next Vice-Chancellor
17th October 2005
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| Mr Fred Hilmer |
The University of New South Wales today announced the appointment of Mr Fred Hilmer AO as its next Vice-Chancellor and President. Mr Hilmer will officially start in the role in June next year.
In making the announcement, UNSW Chancellor Mr David Gonski AO said that the appointment follows an extensive search and selection process, and has the enthusiastic support of the University Council.
“Mr Hilmer is the ideal person to oversee and expand the University in Australia and into Asia,” Mr Gonski said. “He brings to the role a rare combination of experience at the highest levels of business, academia and public life. His leadership and management credentials are proven and well-recognised.”
Mr Hilmer will succeed Professor Mark Wainwright AM, who will retire once Mr Hilmer officially starts. Mr Hilmer will work part time with Professor Wainwright from early next year to ensure a smooth and effective handover.
Mr Hilmer has served for seven years as Chief Executive Officer of John Fairfax Holdings Ltd. He has held directorships with some of Australia’s leading public companies and chaired a number of major public bodies, including the Commonwealth Higher Education Council and the National Competition Policy Review Committee.
Mr Hilmer has had a distinguished academic career. He has a law degree from Sydney University, a Masters in Law from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Finance, where he was appointed a Joseph Wharton Fellow. From 1989 to 1998 he was Dean and Professor of Management at the AGSM, widely considered to be Australia’s finest graduate business school. The AGSM is a joint venture between UNSW and the University of Sydney.
“I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity to lead the University of New South Wales and build on its outstanding record and reputation,” Mr Hilmer said. “I am strongly committed to education, and have been all my life, in every position I have held. I respect and share the values of the University with regard to research, scholarship and teaching. I want to further these values in the institution.
“I hope to bring both strategic leadership and operational expertise. I spent ten years at this university, and I look forward to being able to strengthen it further here in Australia and in Asia.
“The University has a strong leadership team. I know we can work together to get important things done,” Mr Hilmer said.
Mr Hilmer will take up his role in time to oversee the fruition of several major initiatives, including the opening of UNSW Asia in Singapore in 2007. UNSW Asia will be the first wholly owned research and teaching institution to be established overseas by an Australian university.
Mr Gonski also paid warm tribute to Professor Wainwright. “He accepted the position of Vice-Chancellor in difficult circumstances. To his great credit he has stabilised and advanced the University during his time in the role.”
Contact details: Judy Brookman, UNSW Media Office, tel 9385 3249, mob 0421 061 251, email j.brookman@unsw.edu.au
Date issued: 17 October 2005
In making the announcement, UNSW Chancellor Mr David Gonski AO said that the appointment follows an extensive search and selection process, and has the enthusiastic support of the University Council.
“Mr Hilmer is the ideal person to oversee and expand the University in Australia and into Asia,” Mr Gonski said. “He brings to the role a rare combination of experience at the highest levels of business, academia and public life. His leadership and management credentials are proven and well-recognised.”
Mr Hilmer will succeed Professor Mark Wainwright AM, who will retire once Mr Hilmer officially starts. Mr Hilmer will work part time with Professor Wainwright from early next year to ensure a smooth and effective handover.
Mr Hilmer has served for seven years as Chief Executive Officer of John Fairfax Holdings Ltd. He has held directorships with some of Australia’s leading public companies and chaired a number of major public bodies, including the Commonwealth Higher Education Council and the National Competition Policy Review Committee.
Mr Hilmer has had a distinguished academic career. He has a law degree from Sydney University, a Masters in Law from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Finance, where he was appointed a Joseph Wharton Fellow. From 1989 to 1998 he was Dean and Professor of Management at the AGSM, widely considered to be Australia’s finest graduate business school. The AGSM is a joint venture between UNSW and the University of Sydney.
“I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity to lead the University of New South Wales and build on its outstanding record and reputation,” Mr Hilmer said. “I am strongly committed to education, and have been all my life, in every position I have held. I respect and share the values of the University with regard to research, scholarship and teaching. I want to further these values in the institution.
“I hope to bring both strategic leadership and operational expertise. I spent ten years at this university, and I look forward to being able to strengthen it further here in Australia and in Asia.
“The University has a strong leadership team. I know we can work together to get important things done,” Mr Hilmer said.
Mr Hilmer will take up his role in time to oversee the fruition of several major initiatives, including the opening of UNSW Asia in Singapore in 2007. UNSW Asia will be the first wholly owned research and teaching institution to be established overseas by an Australian university.
Mr Gonski also paid warm tribute to Professor Wainwright. “He accepted the position of Vice-Chancellor in difficult circumstances. To his great credit he has stabilised and advanced the University during his time in the role.”
Contact details: Judy Brookman, UNSW Media Office, tel 9385 3249, mob 0421 061 251, email j.brookman@unsw.edu.au
Date issued: 17 October 2005
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