CSI announces founding CEO Professor Peter Shergold AC as incoming board chair

The Centre for Social Impact (CSI) is pleased to announce incoming Board Chair as Professor Peter Shergold, AC, and the appointment of current board member, Philanthropy Australia CEO Sarah Davies in the newly created role of Deputy Chair.

The appointment of Professor Shergold marks an important step for the organisation, as he takes the helm from long-serving board chair Emeritus Professor Richard Henry AM.

Professor Shergold has a long history with CSI, as he was the founding CEO when the centre launched in 2008. He is a well-known advocate of social change and an expert in policy, holding many senior roles on both sides of government over the years. Shergold is currently the Chancellor of Western Sydney University and he currently chairs the NSW Public Services Commission Advisory Board.

“We are immensely excited that Peter has agreed to join us as Board Chair,” said Professor Kristy Muir, CEO, CSI.

“Peter was our first CEO, and he really put CSI on the map as being one of the leading voices in social impact. His leadership, his vision, and his outstanding credentials make him an excellent person to take the role of chair and I’m really looking forward to working with him. Adding Sarah’s elevated role of Deputy Chair, the rest of our high calibre board and our Advisory Councils, and I know we’re in the best hands possible for fully realising CSI’s vision and strategy.”

Peter Shergold said that while CSI has evolved significantly since his role as CEO, it’s moving in the right direction.

“When I see what CSI has achieved, I feel immensely proud to have been part of that story. We took the idea of social impact and created something real, something that people everywhere – business, government, and not-for-profits – can work with to achieve social change. I’m thrilled to take on the role of Board Chair at this point, and can’t wait to help Kristy and her team deliver on the strategy.”

Sarah Davies is the current CEO of Philanthropy Australia, and has served on CSI’s board for 8 years. As Deputy Chair, Sarah will contribute unique insights to the leadership of CSI.

She said: “I have been a long-time supporter of CSI as I see it as a leader in its field of progressing social impact. I’m so excited to be a part of this dynamic board and team and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together in the future.”

Professor Muir formally acknowledged the work of Richard Henry.

“He has done an outstanding job of being our chair for more than five years, and he has been immensely supportive to me over the past year as I took the CEO helm. On behalf of the board and staff, I would like to thank Richard for his many years of leadership at CSI and wish him all the best for the next chapter. I’m also pleased to announce that Richard has agreed to remain a member of the Sydney Advisory Council, which will enable us to continue to benefit from his expertise.”

Richard Henry says that he’s leaving CSI at a time when it has a proven model of sustainability and academic standing: “CSI is in the strongest position it’s ever been in. Our student numbers are breaking records, our academic outputs are changing lives, and our mission is clear. CSI is achieving remarkable things, and it will undoubtedly go from strength to strength with Kristy at the helm, and with Peter as the Chair.”

Professor Shergold officially commences as Board Chair in April 2018. Sarah Davies takes the role of Deputy Chair at the same time.