Extract from The Guardian
Scientist and venture capitalist will replace Megan Clark, the science agency’s first female CEO, when her term expires
The scientist and venture capitalist Dr Larry Marshall has been
appointed the new chief executive of the CSIRO as the science agency
grapples with funding cuts and reported staff unrest.
Marshall will replace the geologist Dr Megan Clark, the CSIRO’s first female chief executive, when her term expires at the end of the year.
The new chief executive, who was chosen from a field of 70 candidates, will have to deal with the fallout from the government’s decision to cut $111m in CSIRO funding over four years.
More than 500 staff are to depart the agency, while whole areas of research, including climate change, radio astronomy and marine biodiversity, will be scaled back or jettisoned.
Marshall is now managing director of Southern Cross Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based fund that invests in technology companies. He was an engineer by training before becoming an inventor, with more than 20 patents to his name, and entrepreneur.
The secretary of the CSIRO staff association, Sam Popovski, said Marshall would face significant challenges in his new role. “CSIRO needs strong leadership as it struggles to cope with heavy cuts to funding, jobs and research,” he said.
“An immediate challenge for Dr Marshall will be to repair morale and meaningfully involve staff and their representatives in the strategic planning for CSIRO’s future.”
Popovski said he welcomed Marshall’s arrival and he hoped the new chief executive would show the same “passion and professionalism” that Clark brought to the role.
The chairman of the CSIRO board, Simon McKeon, said Marshall had an “impeccable record” as a scientist and business leader. “His wealth of experience in developing and applying science and technology makes him an excellent fit,” he said.
“The board is confident that Dr Marshall will lead CSIRO in a manner which ensures that it continues to provide advice of the highest quality to government as well as provide best-practice collaboration with the private sector.”
Marshall will replace the geologist Dr Megan Clark, the CSIRO’s first female chief executive, when her term expires at the end of the year.
The new chief executive, who was chosen from a field of 70 candidates, will have to deal with the fallout from the government’s decision to cut $111m in CSIRO funding over four years.
More than 500 staff are to depart the agency, while whole areas of research, including climate change, radio astronomy and marine biodiversity, will be scaled back or jettisoned.
Marshall is now managing director of Southern Cross Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based fund that invests in technology companies. He was an engineer by training before becoming an inventor, with more than 20 patents to his name, and entrepreneur.
The secretary of the CSIRO staff association, Sam Popovski, said Marshall would face significant challenges in his new role. “CSIRO needs strong leadership as it struggles to cope with heavy cuts to funding, jobs and research,” he said.
“An immediate challenge for Dr Marshall will be to repair morale and meaningfully involve staff and their representatives in the strategic planning for CSIRO’s future.”
Popovski said he welcomed Marshall’s arrival and he hoped the new chief executive would show the same “passion and professionalism” that Clark brought to the role.
The chairman of the CSIRO board, Simon McKeon, said Marshall had an “impeccable record” as a scientist and business leader. “His wealth of experience in developing and applying science and technology makes him an excellent fit,” he said.
“The board is confident that Dr Marshall will lead CSIRO in a manner which ensures that it continues to provide advice of the highest quality to government as well as provide best-practice collaboration with the private sector.”
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