CSIRO appoints new chief executive

Chairman of the CSIRO Board, Simon McKeon, said, "Dr Marshall has an impeccable record as a scientist, a technology innovator and business leader. His wealth of experience in developing and applying science and technology makes him an excellent fit.”

Mr McKeon said that the chief executive of CSIRO is probably the most important position in national science administration, so the organisation conducted an extensive global search for an innovative scientist with strong business leadership qualities, and more than 70 candidates were considered.

Mr McKeon also thanked current chief executive Dr Megan Clark for her leadership of CSIRO for the past six years. Dr Clark will leave CSIRO at the end of December this year.

Dr Marshall will join CSIRO in January 2015. He is currently managing director of Southern Cross Venture Partners, an early stage venture capital firm specialising in creating Australian technology companies and growing them globally in Asia and the United States.