Kim Ellis to leave Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Centennial Park leadership role

Kim Ellis, Executive Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Centennial Park, has been appointed Director of the Australian Antarctic Division.

Ellis, who became Chief Executive of Centennial Parklands in 2011, before having his role expanded to include the Royal Botanic Garden in 2014, is a former military logistics specialist who spent 20 years in the army. He will be joining the Federal Government’s Australian Antarctic Division as it enters "an exciting new era of research".

Announcing the appointment, Australian Environment Minister Melissa Price stated “currently the executive director of Botanic Gardens and Centennial Backgrounds in NSW, and having led a diverse range of high profile government and science organisations, Mr Ellis brings a wealth of experience to this position.”

Ellis’ new role will encompass international diplomacy deals with rival claimants on the icy continent, to overseeing the deployment of assets ranging from snow tractors and aircraft to the new $500 million icebreaker RSV Nuyina.

Commenting on his achievements, NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton advised “under Kim Ellis’ leadership, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Centennial Park have cemented themselves as two of Sydney’s major attractions."

Minister Upton added that the parks are "much more than a wonderful place to go: they contribute a great deal of scientific knowledge and understanding about the plant world and are important to the preservation of endangered plant species",

Clive Austin, Chairman of the Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens also praised Ellis’ achievements, commenting “Kim Ellis is a very popular leader whose vision and hard work ensure a very exciting future for the gardens.

"The three gardens have become global destinations being recognised as some of the leading botanic gardens in the world.”

An international search to find a replacement for Eliis, who will serve in his current role until 1st February, will now begin.

Minister Upton has also announced that Brian Schwartz has been appointed the new Chair of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust.

He will take up the position of Chair in February, following the retirement from the Trust of current Chair Tony Ryan.

Minister Upton also announced that Ita Buttrose and Fiona de Jong have been reappointed as Trustees, while Robert Regan will join as a new Trustee.

Schwartz is the non-executive Chairman of the Scentre Group and was recently appointed non-executive director of Guardian Early Learning Group. He was previously a non-executive director and Deputy Chairman of Westfield Corporation, Chairman of IAG, Deputy Chairman of the Football Federation of Australia, and Deputy President of the Australian Museum.

Robert Regan is the Partner in Charge of Corrs Chambers Westgarth Sydney and Chairman of national not-for-profit peak body, Painaustralia.

Ita Buttrose is an accomplished communicator advising corporate, community and welfare organisations and has a wealth of experience across a broad range of industry sectors as a businesswoman, journalist and author.

Fiona de Jong is the Head of Australia's National Brand at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and was previously the Chief Executive of the Australian Olympic Committee and member of various International Olympic Committee taskforces and working groups.

Images: Kim Eliis (top) and Centennial Park (below).