Andrew Walters

Back to

Andrew Walters is the Vice-President, Operations, at UNSW Sydney, having commenced in August 2015. The Division of Operations includes the portfolios of Finance, UNSW IT, Estate Management, and HR.

Prior to this appointment, Andrew was Chief Financial Officer at Deakin University where he was responsible for the effective management of finance, investments and enterprise projects.

Prior to Deakin, Andrew was the Group Finance Director of a publicly listed holding company with a diverse set of investments and was responsible for restoring profitability and investor confidence. He has extensive experience in the mining industry as Chief Financial Officer of the Botswana operations of diamond mining company DeBeers.

Andrew holds degrees in commerce and accounting and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. He has extensive experience operating on boards of directors both in an executive and non-executive capacity across a large range of businesses. He is currently a UNSW representative director on the UNSW Global Ltd Board.

Organisational chart

Director, Operations
Ashley Milosavljevic
E: a.milosavljevic@unsw.edu.au

Ashley is responsible for supporting the growth of this Division and the successful delivery of the initiatives within this high-profile portfolio. Ashley also ensures engagement across the University on portfolio matters and represents the Division in internal and external forums. The role coordinates the finance, procurement, governance, reporting, customer experience, communications and operational services for the Division.

Prior to this role, Ashley held several positions (Unit Manager, Manager Operations and Administration and Acting General Manager) within the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Education Portfolio. Ashley has also worked in UNSW Library and the Graduations Department.

Ashley holds a Bachelor in Business and Marketing and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Event Management. She is a member of the Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM) and the Project Management Institute and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) Credential.

Estate Management

Chief Property Officer
Tim Beattie

Executive Assistant: Belinda Kelly
E: belinda.kelly@unsw.edu.au

Prior to his appointment at UNSW, Tim’s expertise was honed in a variety of property settings. Most notably, Tim was head of development at Stockland (Australia’s largest diversified property group), responsible for the redevelopment of one of the country’s largest regional retail portfolios.

Tim has extensive end-to-end experience across property in a range of asset classes, mixed use, retail, build-to-rent and apartments. He creates pathways for projects and businesses to succeed through driving and leading high performing teams. As such, Tim possesses extensive experience operating on executive teams.

Tim holds degrees in Architecture, Building Science (Victoria University) and a Master of Business and Administration (AGSM).

Human Resources

Interim Chief People Officer
Michelle Steel

Executive Assistant: Elizabeth Polias
E: Elizabeth.Polias@unsw.edu.au

Michelle Steel is the Chief People Officer (Interim) at UNSW Sydney. With a career spanning across NZ, UK & Australia, in industries including retail, media, entertainment, financial services and over the last six years, in higher education at UNSW. Michelle has a wealth of experience supporting businesses to grow, transform and face new challenges, bringing high levels of strategic clarity and a commercial mindset to the people agenda.

Michelle has intrinsic drive to influence change and devise creative solutions through strategic communications, interpersonal relations, culture change, and effective people management. From shaping organisational culture to fostering positive HR business partnerships, she has been dedicated to influencing change and creating impactful solutions.

A strong advocate for Diversity and Inclusion and human centred HR practices focused on creating inclusive workplaces where career development, nurturing talent and enabling productive, healthy workplaces are at the forefront.

UNSW Finance

Chief Financial Officer
Libby Stratford

Executive Assistant: Debbie Wong
E: debbie.wong@unsw.edu.au

BCom, MPA, FCPA, GAICD, EMPA (in-progress)

As Chief Financial Officer at UNSW Sydney, Elizabeth (Libby) Stratford is responsible for the University’s financial direction and management, financial and business performance monitoring and analysis, and providing independent advice on the financial performance of university-controlled and associated entities.

Prior to joining UNSW, Libby was the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director Finance and Procurement of the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, part of the Stronger Communities Cluster. She has completed a Masters of Public Administration and holds a Bachelor of Commerce. Libby has remained an honorary Vice-Chair of the NSW Public Sector Community of Finance Professionals since stepping down as Chair in 2019 reflecting her commitment to the ongoing development of public and not-for-profit sector finance professionals.

Libby was appointed a Fellow of the CPA Australia in 2012 and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2013. She has been a Senior Executive in the NSW Government and held senior leadership roles in the Justice, Communities, Arts, Education, Treasury and Health portfolios.

Libby has a passion for being part of organisations that have delivering greater social outcomes at their heart and harnessing that same passion to form high-performing, engaged and happy teams.

UNSW IT

Chief Information Officer
Dr Christine Burns

Executive Assistant: Jen Lafferty
E: j.lafferty@unsw.edu.au

Christine Burns commenced as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at UNSW Sydney in August 2022. As CIO of UNSWIT, Christine leads all ICT, digital systems, infrastructure and services across the University. Christine is part of the portfolio of the Vice-President, Operations and is also a member of the University’s Senior Leadership Team. In line with the university’s elevated focus on technology, which includes the creation of the UNSW Council IT Committee, Christine will work with the executive to challenge the status quo and further develop a modern technology strategy.

Christine has over 15 years of experience leading IT functions in both the legal and university sectors, following an early career as a lawyer. Prior to her appointment, Christine was CIO at the University of Technology, Sydney, and also spent two years as the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Corporate Services.

Office of VPO:

Executive Officer
Trevor Skelly
E: t.skelly@unsw.edu.au

Senior Project Officer
Angela Lee
E: a.lee@unsw.edu.au

Executive Assistant
Stephanie Whitelaw
E: s.whitelaw@unsw.edu.au