Australian Sports Commission looks to recruit new Chief Executive

19 months after former postholder Kate Palmer left the role, the Australian Sports Commission has announced that it has commenced the task of recruiting a Chief Executive.

Announced last week, a Australian Sports Commission (ASC) statement advised that it “will undertake a global search to appoint a Chief Executive Officer” led by international recruitment firm Korn Ferry, with the successful candidate to “hold responsibility for Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), reporting directly to the Australian Sport Commission Board”.

With the position having been filled on an acting basis by former board member Rob Dalton since February last year, the recruitment process in commencing six months after the appointment of new Chair of the ASC, Josephine Sukkar.

The recruitment statement advised “the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on sport across the country and the CEO will focus on building a pathway from participation to high performance, which includes:

• Reinvigorating participation and involvement in grassroots sports around Australia as we emerge from the major disruption of the pandemic and associated restrictions.

• Building on high-performance programs and achievements at the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games in preparation for forthcoming major events, including the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the Commonwealth Games, FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cups and with a longer-term view, towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane in 2032.

“The Commission is extremely grateful to Rob Dalton, who has been acting CEO of Sport Australia. “He has notified the Chair that he does not intend to apply for the CEO role and will see out his contract to 31 December.

“The Commission also extends its appreciation to Peter Conde, the CEO of the AIS, for his continuing contribution to Australia’s high-performance and Olympic and Paralympic programs.”

Commenting on the process, Sukkar noted “this is an important role for Australian sport, focused on building on our recent success in Tokyo and further strengthening our existing high-performance network, programs and pipeline.

“Importantly, the new CEO will help to reinvigorate our participation programs and ultimately help to inspire the next generation of Australians to engage with sport and an active lifestyle.”