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Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson today announced Adam Fennessy PSM has been named as our new Commissioner.
As Victorian Public Sector 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.
Minister Pearson today said; “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,” Minister Pearson said.
The 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.
“I am excited and delighted to be returning to the Victorian public sector as the new Victorian Public Sector Commissioner,” said Mr Fennessy following the announcement.
“I look forward to working with the Commission team and the new Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson MP in serving the Victorian community.”
“In my new role I will bring a particular focus to responding to the challenges of COVID-19 in the delivery of public services to the Victorian community through a responsive, vibrant and diverse Victorian public sector,” he said.
Acting Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Julia Griffith PSM, said of the announcement; “I feel very excited about the appointment of Adam to this role. Adam will provide strong leadership to the Commission. He brings significant expertise and a passion for the Victorian public sector and its services to the community.”
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.
Mr Fennessy, who succeeds Acting Commissioner Julia Griffith, will commence Monday 27 July 2020.
Minister Pearson added: “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.”