The University of Newcastle Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Kenneth Moss AM as the University’s next Chancellor. Dr Moss will succeed Professor Trevor Waring AM in the role in May 2012.
Dr Moss was born and educated in Newcastle and has a long connection with the University. He is currently a member of the University Council.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to business in the mining, financial and property development sectors, and to the community through contributions to maritime, educational and health organisations. Dr Moss received the Convocation Medal for professional excellence in 1997 and was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia in 2004.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, said Dr Moss’s appointment was a coup for the University and she looked forward to working with him in the years ahead.
The Chancellor provides leadership and guidance to the University Council and is responsible for ensuring the Council fulfills its obligations. The Chancellor plays a major role representing the Council and the University to external bodies and the community.
Dr Moss said the appointment was a “rare opportunity” that he was looking forward to.
“The University of Newcastle is recognised as a world class institution delivering international calibre academic programs, and excellent research that has global and regional impact,” he said.
“I am thrilled to be offered the opportunity to work with Professor McMillen, University staff and students, and the community to provide leadership and guide the institution to the next level of excellence.
“I look forward to making timely, effective decisions for the University, to help the staff achieve the ambitious program of work ahead, and to applying my extensive experience in chairing Boards to an organisation with which I have a long and fond connection.”
Professor McMillen paid a sincere tribute to outgoing Chancellor, Professor Trevor Waring AM, who has served in the role since May 2004.
“Professor Waring has steered the University through some challenging times in the higher education sector, and has ensured we are placed at the forefront of the sector in Australia,” she said.
“We look forward to him continuing his relationship with the University.”
A summary of Dr Moss’s educational qualifications and career follows and a photo of Dr Moss is available from the Media and Public Relations team.
For interviews with Dr Moss or Professor McMillen please contact Katie Porritt in Media and Public Relations on 0418 445 888 or Carmen Swadling on 4985 4276 or 0428 038477.
Kenneth John Moss AM, BE (Hons), PhD (Newcastle), Hon FIE Aust, FAICD
Dr Moss graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering, with honours, in 1968. He gained his doctorate in 1974 in the same discipline with a topic that investigated roof support in underground structures. During his time at University he served as a member and President of the Board of the University Union and as a member of the Students’ Representative Council. He was elected an honorary life member of the Union.
He worked at BHP’s Newcastle Steelworks, Northern Collieries, and other subsidiaries before joining Howard Smith Limited’s heavy engineering subsidiary, A Goninan & Co Ltd in 1974.
He gained wide managerial experience in various Howard Smith subsidiaries, including in the UK, before being appointed Managing Director in 1993. He was a director, since 1987, of various subsidiary boards covering industries as diverse as stevedoring, shipping, harbour towage and salvage, industrial and retail hardware, heavy engineering and manufacturing.
He was a foundation board member of Hunter Medical Research Institute and a board member of Hunter Area Health Service (2000-2004).
Following his retirement from Howard Smith in 2000, he has been a non executive director of a number of companies including National Australia Bank Limited, Adsteam Marine Limited and Macquarie Capital Alliance Group. He was formerly Chairman of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Boral Limited, Centennial Coal Company Limited and GPT Group.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to business in the mining, financial and property development sectors, and to the community through contributions to maritime, educational and health organisations.
He received the Convocation Medal for professional excellence in 1997 and was elected an Honorary Life Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia in 2004.
Dr Moss joined the University of Newcastle Council in 2010.
