Premier

New Victorian Public Sector Commissioner

30 June 2020

Long-serving public servant Adam Fennessy has been named as the new Victorian Public Sector Commissioner.

Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson today announced Mr Fennessy’s appointment to the role, which comes after an extensive search for a new Commission head.

As Commissioner, Mr Fennessy will be responsible for driving excellence in policy, service and administration across the public sector and will work to maintain the sector’s professionalism and integrity.

Mr Fennessy has served as the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (and formerly the Department of Environment and Land Planning), as well as an Executive Director at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

He has also had senior leadership positions within the private sector, including as Deputy President of the Victorian Branch of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and is currently a partner at consultancy firm EY, advising on public sector infrastructure across the Oceania region.

Mr Fennessy is a member of the Male Champions of Change network, and was previously a board member of Infrastructure Victoria and an advisory board member to Women and Leadership Australia.

In January 2018, Mr Fennessy was recognised for his service to the public sector with the award of a Public Service Medal.

In addition to his role as the Victorian Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Fennessy will also be a member of the Victorian Secretaries Board, which addresses issues and opportunities of strategic importance throughout the public sector.

The Victorian Public Sector Commission works to build a high-performing and future-focused public sector by evaluating and providing advice and support on relevant strategic, governance and service delivery issues.

Mr Fennessy, who succeeds Acting Commissioner Julia Griffith, will commence in the role next month.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson

“Adam Fennessy brings a great deal of executive experience – from public to private, state and federal – that will be invaluable in his role as the new Commissioner.”

“With more than 20 years of public sector experience under his belt, Mr Fennessy has championed a community-centred approach to public sector, with an emphasis on equality, ethics and integrity.”

“I want to thank Julia Griffith for her leadership of the Commission over the last six months and look forward to her continued contribution in her role as Deputy Commissioner.”

Reviewed 08 July 2020

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