Professor Caron Beaton-Wells appointed as new ANZSOG Dean and CEO

The Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) has announced the appointment of Professor Caron Beaton-Wells as the organisation’s new Dean and CEO.

Professor Beaton-Wells has more than 20 years of university experience including six years as a Professor at the University of Melbourne Law School and over ten years in Dean and Associate Dean roles.

She has been Dean, Internal of the Melbourne Business School since February 2020 where she led a process of strategic renewal, including digital transformation of the School’s program portfolio, established new capacity for innovation and forged a collaborative and inclusive culture.

ANZSOG Board Chair Sharyn O’Neill PSM said that Professor Beaton-Wells was an internationally recognised academic who would be an exceptional appointment for the role, and the right person to lead ANZSOG into the future.

“Caron brings to ANZSOG a deep understanding of the institutions of government; policy-making, legislative and regulatory processes; and public administration. She brings relationships with regulators, senior officials, Members of Parliament and the judiciary across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, in our region and across the globe,” Ms O’Neill said.

“Her career demonstrates a long-standing commitment to a capable public service as central to guaranteeing future prosperity, social cohesion and security, something which aligns closely with ANZSOG’s purpose and vision.

“The Board has a high level of confidence in Caron’s ability to lead ANZSOG over the coming years, building business opportunities, supporting program quality, and deepening relations with governments and stakeholders to ensure ANZSOG continues to be a strategic partner to the public sector.”

Professor Beaton-Wells has been a lay member of the Australian Competition Tribunal since 2019, prior to which she practised as a Solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons (formerly Mallesons Stephen Jaques) and as a member of the Victorian Bar for 10 years, specialising in areas of government law.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead ANZSOG and be part of fulfilling its purpose to provide robust and education, research and advice to public servants in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand,” Professor Beaton-Wells said.

“The public service is a foundational institution in our democracy, and the way it needs to operate is changing: less centralised, more iterative, more responsive to citizens and users, and more aware of the rapid impacts of technology on our society and economy. This change is taking place in an environment of increasingly complex public problems, growing community expectations and high levels of scrutiny.

“ANZSOG has an important role to play in building leaders who are effective, ethical, trusted and who can make a difference in this environment. We are part of an influential community of academics and practitioners who support the public sector to be future-ready and capable in supporting governments deliver the best outcomes possible for citizens.”

Professor Beaton-Wells has consulted to the OECD, ASEAN, and the New Zealand Government, been a non-government advisor to the International Competition Network, a member of UNCTAD’s Research Partnership Platform, and a member of the Law Council of Australia’s competition and consumer committee. She was the recipient of the Academic of the Year (Women in Law) Award in 2019. She is a member of Chief Executive Women, Australia’s peak organisation for influencing and engaging all levels of business and government to achieve gender balance and equity.

She will replace interim Dean and CEO Christopher Wheatley, who has been in the role for four months after the resignation of Adam Fennessy.

Professor Beaton-Wells will formally begin her role at ANZSOG in February.

Please direct all media enquiries to:

Ben Ruse

Senior Writer and Media Advisor, ANZSOG

M: 0437 971 291

E: b.ruse@anzsog.edu.au