Natural Hazards Research Australia is pleased to announce that Andrew Gissing has been appointed as its incoming Chief Executive Officer.
Andrew is an emergency management and resilience expert and has a long history in the emergency management sector as both a practitioner and researcher. He will begin at Natural Hazards Research Australia on 25 July.
“The research capability that Natural Hazards Research Australia delivers is vital in enhancing the safety and resilience of communities,” Andrew said.
“I am excited by the opportunity to collaborate with staff, researchers, stakeholders and partners from across industries and disciplines to deliver evidence-based research that can be used to make a difference.”
Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO, Chair of the Centre, said Andrew will bring knowledge, experience and a network of contacts to the role.
“On behalf of the Board I am delighted to welcome Andrew as our new CEO. Natural Hazards Research Australia is at a vital stage after its establishment year and Andrew’s unique blend of skills will ensure that the Centre delivers research that supports our partners and ultimately leads to the saving of lives.
“Andrew’s insights into emergency management combined with his research involvement through projects that he led for the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC will be of huge benefit to the Centre,” Dr Woodthorpe said.
Andrew takes over from inaugural Centre CEO, Dr Richard Thornton, who is retiring on 30 June after leading the Centre through its establishment year, as well as leading the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC for eight years and steering the research agenda of the sector for the past 18 years.
Andrew comes to the Centre from Risk Frontiers, where he was General Manager – Resilience. He previously held the position of Deputy Chief Officer/Director Emergency Management and Communication with the Victoria State Emergency Service and before joining Risk Frontiers, was the Director Enterprise Risk Management at the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
Andrew holds a Masters (Hons) of Science and a Bachelor of Economics degree, both from Macquarie University, and is the author of more than thirty journal and conference papers. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Natural Hazards Research Australia was funded for 10 years by the Australian Government on 1 July 2021 as a collaborative research organisation to address the major challenges arising from natural hazards, including bushfires, floods, cyclones, heatwaves, storms and other hazards. The Centre’s mission is to deliver usable research and knowledge that creates safer and more resilient communities.