After more than three years at the helm, Kathryn Fagg AO has advised her resignation as CSIRO Chair, with Deputy Chair Ming Long AM appointed to the role.
Ms Fagg, who has been in the role since October 2021 and on the CSIRO Board since August 2018, has made the decision to step aside for personal reasons.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic thanked Ms Fagg for bringing tremendous experience to the position, both as a former engineer and as a respected senior executive.
Ms Long has served as Deputy Chair since May 2024 and has broad governance experience across financial services, real estate, infrastructure, and telecommunications; and significant executive experience in financial stewardship.
Ms Long also contributes to Australia's climate transition and corporate governance through her roles on the Climate Governance Initiative at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and ASIC's Corporate Governance Consultative Panel.
Vanessa Sullivan has also been appointed to the CSIRO Board.
Ms Sullivan has strong commercial, financial, project and strategy experience gained over 20 years working across the energy, water and sustainability sectors and more recently in hydrogen industry development.
Quotes attributable the Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic:
"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Kathryn Fagg. CSIRO has benefitted from having such a pioneering woman in STEM at the helm and I wish her all the very best for the future.
"I welcome Ming Long as the new Chair - an accomplished executive who brings with her exceptional corporate governance insight.
"Vanessa Sullivan's experience in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors makes her a welcome addition to the board.
"I know these appointments will help ensure the strong leadership and governance of CSIRO into the future."
Quotes attributable to CSIRO Chair, Ming Long:
"I am honoured to be appointed Chair and acknowledge Kathryn Fagg's significant leadership and legacy in positioning CSIRO for the future.
"I look forward to supporting CSIRO's independent science and research excellence, in collaborating and transforming national challenges and priorities into opportunities for Australia."
