Mark Sullivan, Managing Director of ACTEW, and the Board of the company have mutually decided that he will vacate the position and leave the water industry.
Mark Sullivan said “I am proud to have led a capable team and to deliver on every objective agreed with the Board and the Government in my role. It was time to take stock and so the Board and I mutually agreed it was time for new leadership to take ACTEW forward, Mr Sullivan said.
“It is never an easy role managing major projects and hundreds of people. But the value created for Canberra has been immense and enables our city to grow well into the future. I am proud of the ACTEW workforce who have made this possible,” he said.
Acting Chairman, Michael Easson, said that “Mark has done an outstanding job in the six years he has led ACTEW. This move has been carefully considered. The Board wanted Mark to complete the major water projects and not to leave early. He has been patient with us. Mark led the process of drought-proofing Canberra with major water projects, developing a safety-first workplace culture and in inspiring ACTEW to become the premier sustainable water business in the country.”
“The opening of the Cotter Dam last year was a particularly important milestone in a project that has won numerous safety and engineering awards. Mark and the Board decided it was time for new leadership in the next phase. I am very proud to have been on the original Board who selected him and to have worked with one of the most capable-ever public servants,” Mr Easson said.
Following the departure of Mr Sullivan, Acting Chairman of ACTEW, Michael Easson, has announced that John Knox, the CFO of ActewAGL until today, has been appointed Acting CEO of ACTEW.
Mr Easson said, that with Mark Sullivan having laid such solid foundations through the water security projects, including the Cotter Dam, the Board decided the next CEO needs to be a consolidator of the strong achievements over recent years.
“John’s deep utilities expertise, leadership skills and financial acumen are ideal for this role. He will be CEO for a term to be decided at the next Board meeting in March,” Mr Easson concluded.
Background on Mark Sullivan’s distinguished career
Mark Sullivan was appointed Managing Director of ACTEW in July 2008. In 2013, as a mark of his esteem across the water industry, he was appointed Chair of the Water Utilities Association of Australia and New Zealand.
Previously, he was Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and President of the Repatriation Commission and Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (2004-2008), Secretary of the Department for Family and Community Services (2002-2004), Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (1999-2002), and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (1988-1999).
He has extensive senior managerial experience in both the private and public service sectors including WANG Australia, SBS, the Department of Social Security and the Australian Taxation Office. He is a member of the ActewAGL Joint Venture Partnerships Board, the Australian Taxation Office – where he was until recently a member of the ATO Audit Committee.
Mr Sullivan received an Australian Centenary Medal in 2001 and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008 – in recognition for his work in multicultural affairs, indigenous affairs, community services and with veterans.
He is a graduate in Economics from the University of Sydney and is a Fellow of Certified Practising Accountants (FCPA) Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).
Background on John Knox appointment to Acting CEO of ACTEW
John Knox until today was responsible for the general financial management across the ActewAGL Group including statutory financial and tax reporting, treasury management, group performance analysis and internal advisory services.
He is also responsible for the provision of procurement, property and security services to all ActewAGL business divisions and oversees Regulatory Affairs and Human Resources. He has an extensive background in the private sector. He holds a Bachelor of Financial Administration, is a Fellow of Certified Practising Accountants (FCPA) Australia, and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).
