News_

New board appointments drive John Grill Centre's vision forward

17 November 2015

The University of Sydney is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Ken Henry AC and Bob Rollinson as new members of the John Grill Centre for Project Leadership's advisory board.

Dr Ken Henry AC

These appointments support the Centre's ambition to undertake targeted applied research to address the infrastructure, energy, business and technology transformation challenges facing Australia.

Further strengthening the Centre's industry and government ties in Australia and globally, Dr Henry and Mr Rollinson bring a wealth of experience to the board, and take up their appointments effective immediately.

Among several distinguished positions, Dr Henry currently serves as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman-Designate of National Australia Bank, as well as a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Reconciliation Australia. 

Meanwhile, Mr Rollinson is currently Chairman of Salamander Technologies Pty Ltd, as well as a member of the Boards of Salamander Group (UK) and the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, based at the University of Sydney.

Chair of the John Grill Centre’s advisory board, John Grill AO said: "I am pleased to welcome Ken and Bob as new members of the Centre's advisory board. I am confident they will both contribute enormously to our ongoing vision to research, educate and advance thinking so that individuals, businesses and governments can create value in terms of greater economic prosperity and social wellbeing through projects.

"I look forward to integrating Ken and Bob’s sound counsel and guidance, borne from decades of combined expertise across the field, as we forge ahead in advancing the knowledge necessary to create lasting value from projects for generations to come." 

Dr Henry and Mr Rollinson complement an experienced board comprised of leading business figures including:

  • Kevin McCann AM
  • Sir David Higgins
  • Dr Stuart McGill
  • John Mulcahy
  • The Hon Nick Greiner AC
  • Jim McIlvenny 

About Dr Ken Henry AC

Dr Henry is Chair of the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation at the Australian National University. He is a Non-Executive Director and Chairman-Designate of National Australia Bank. He is also a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Reconciliation Australia. He is a Governor of CEDA and a Council member of Voiceless.

Dr Henry held senior policy advising positions in the Australian Treasury from late 1984 until early 2011. From 2001 to 2011 he was Secretary to the Treasury and a member of the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Board of Taxation. In 1997 and 1998 he chaired the Howard Government's tax review task force that produced the policy blueprint, A New Tax System. He was a member of the Howard Government's Task Group on Emissions Trading in 2007. In 2009-10 he chaired the Review into Australia's Future Tax System commissioned by the Rudd Government. As Special Adviser to Prime Minister Gillard in 2011 and 2012, Dr Henry was responsible for leading the development of the White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century.

About Bob Rollinson

Bob Rollinson is an experienced Board Director and independent advisor specialising in energy, water, technology and infrastructure. He is currently Chairman of Salamander Technologies Pty Limited and a member of the Boards of Salamander Group (UK) and The Warren Centre For Advanced Engineering located at the University of Sydney.

He has extensive industry and investment banking experience commencing in Australia and extending in the past 25 years to the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, France, India, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia. He has worked with major electricity and water utilities and banks including a long period with the investment banking and funds areas of the Macquarie Group. In these various engagements he has held senior roles including Chief Executive Officer of public and private enterprises.

He returned to Australia from Macquarie's New York office in 2008 when he was appointed Chairman of Sydney Catchment Authority. He Chaired the Authority for five years while still carrying out international assignments for the Macquarie Group. He maintains his consulting business and has been engaged as an independent expert by the NSW Government. He has qualifications in engineering and business and is a fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia and was elected as an Honorary Fellow in 2014. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

About the John Grill Centre for Project Leadership

Established in 2012, the John Grill Centre offers unique education and applied research to achieve greater social wellbeing and economic prosperity through projects.

Our education focus is on the leadership and governance of major projects to allow aspiring project leaders, senior executives and board members to create and realise value for their business defining projects. Through our applied research we are forging a knowledge development partnership with government, industry, academia and the community to deliver timely, concise and insightful thought leadership for Australia’s future.

The Centre combines the experience of industry experts, underpinned by world-class academics and draws on the multidisciplinary expertise of leading faculties across the University of Sydney.