AUSTRALIAN Catholic University has named Julien O’Connell as the new Pro-Chancellor, following the legacy of Ted Exell who spent 15 tireless years in the role.
Mr O’Connell brings an accomplished resume as a former executive and businessman, specialising in insurance, accounting and risk management.
He continues to chair a number of boards including the CEO Institute, a leading provider of mentoring for CEO’s and chairs of less experienced companies.
Aside from his professional skills, Mr O’Connell carries a strong commitment to the Catholic Church and its missions, a passion he can pass on through his new tertiary role.
He has demonstrated his faith as chairman of Mercy Health since 2008, a board member of Catholic Health Australia and more than 20 years’ service for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in finance.
ACU has extended a five year term as Pro-Chancellor for Mr O’Connell, effective January 1 2016.
ACU Chancellor John Fahey said he is sure the universities exhaustive search for the right candidate had landed them the right man for the job, also lauding the success of his predecessor.
“Mr O’Connell’s appointment as out new Pro-Chancellor builds on a record of excellent appointments to the University.” he said.
“ACU has been the privileged beneficiary of our outgoing Pro-Chancellor Ted Exells’s balance, wisdom and counsel since 1996, when he first served the University as a member of its Senate.”
Mr Fahey said he was sure Mr O’Connell’s past professional experience would prove invaluable to the institution and also announced that Mr Exell would continue to serve the University as a Member of Company.
