Australian Olympic Committee appoints Mark Arbib as new Chief Executive

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has appointed sports administrator and former Labor government minister Mark Arbib as its new Chief Executive with Arbib noting his appointment is “an incredible opportunity to harness the power of the rings to inspire and advance our nation” in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Games.

Arbib is taking over from Matt Carroll, who has stepped down from the role he has held for the last eight years. Arbib will commence in the role on Monday 5th May, with a two-week transition period before Carroll departs on Friday 16th May.

Arbib said he was thrilled to be taking on the leadership role adding “it’s an honour to help lead this great movement. The Olympics are the pinnacle of sport - both in Australia and across the globe.”

“I am committed to working tirelessly for athletes – and making sure they are at the heart of everything we do. There are no better role models in sport.”

Arbib brings to the role 30-years of high-profile leadership experience in sports administration, commercial strategy and governance. He has served at the highest level within a National Sporting Organisation, major professional sporting codes, the Federal Government, international integrity bodies, philanthropic ventures and within the Olympic Movement itself.

Arbib has served on the AOC’s Executive Committee since 2016 and chairs the AOC's Brisbane 32 Legacy and Impact Committee. He also served six years (2015-2021) as President of Athletics Australia where he drove governance reforms, high performance strategies and established an athlete’s voice on the board. Notably, Arbib was the Federal Minister for Sport from 2010-2012 which saw him create the National Anti-Match-Fixing policy (later Sport Integrity Australia) and his appointment to the board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Arbib also led the 2012 Governance Review into Australian Rugby Union and has served on the board of both Sydney FC and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He also previously worked as Director of Strategy and Business Development at Consolidated Press Holdings, established and managed the $100 million Packer Family Foundation, and was General Secretary (CEO) of the Australian Labor Party in NSW.

AOC President Ian Chesterman said he was delighted to appoint Arbib as the AOC’s Chief Executive advising “Mark’s senior experience across Australia’s sporting landscape runs deep and wide, but alongside those credentials, he’s also serving in his tenth year on the AOC Executive, and brings a demonstrated passion for the Olympic Movement, our sports and athletes.

“Mark is highly skilled in the workings of the sports system having served as President of Athletics Australia for six years. Together with his experience in government, business, fundraising and philanthropy, I look forward to him bringing his unique and compelling skillset to the operations of the AOC.

“Having witnessed Mark’s important contribution as a member of the AOC Executive over the past decade, I know he possesses the vision, drive and energy required to advance the Olympic Movement in Australia so that all the opportunities presented by Brisbane 2032 are realised.

Chesterman paid tribute to outgoing Chief Executive Matt Carroll noting “Matt has been an incredible leader of the AOC, having overseen considerable cultural and operational reforms, for the benefit of our people, athletes and our Member Sports.

“He should also take great pride in the performances of the Australian Olympic Teams across PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and, of course, Paris in 2024.

“We thank Matt for his incredible service and stewardship of the Olympic Movement in Australia, and will be forever grateful for his leadership.”

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has welcomed the appointment of Arbib as the new AOC Chief Executive with ASC Chief Executive Kieren Perkins noting he’s looking forward to working alongside Arbib as sport continues to build towards the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Perkins shared “we are in the midst of an exciting and legacy building period for Australian sport with Brisbane just seven years away and the ASC is looking forward to continuing to work closely with the AOC under the new leadership of Mark Arbib.

“On behalf of the ASC, I would like to congratulate Matt on his achievements in guiding the Australian Olympic movement over the past eight years, a period which included navigating the difficulties of the postponed Tokyo Games and finished with a record-breaking performance by our athletes in Paris. 

“Matt has also played a key role in the early stages of Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy and sport’s shared vision to win well. 

“Australian sport is more united than ever through the Win Well Strategy and I look forward to welcoming Mark to the Strategy Leadership Group in the coming months.”

Image: Mark Arbib. Credit: Australian Olympic Committee.