Australia’s leading public policy think tank, the Grattan Institute, has launched a global search for a new CEO, after the incumbent, Danielle Wood, accepted the role of new Chair of the Productivity Commission.
Ms Wood’s appointment to the PC, for a term of five years, was announced today by Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
Ms Wood, 43, has worked at Grattan Institute since 2014, and was appointed CEO in July 2020. She will continue in the role until 10 November 2023 to assist with the transition process.
At Grattan Ms Wood has published extensively on economic reform priorities, budgets, tax reform, women’s workforce participation, generational inequality, and reforming political institutions.
Before joining Grattan, Ms Wood was Principal Economist and Director of Merger Investigations at the ACCC, a Senior Economist at NERA Economic Consulting, and Senior Research Economist at the Productivity Commission. She holds an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Adelaide and two Masters degrees, one in Economics and one in Competition Law, from the University of Melbourne.
Grattan Institute Board Chair, Lindsay Maxsted, congratulated Ms Wood on her appointment to the PC.
‘We are very disappointed to be losing Danielle, but the Government has made a fine appointment,’ Mr Maxsted said.
‘Those involved in public policy in Australia know that Danielle is an exceptional economist, with an ability to break down a problem, pinpoint its causes, and then imagine and design practical solutions.
‘Everyone at Grattan also knows Danielle as a thoughtful and welcoming colleague, a strategist, and an inspiring leader. She leaves with the best wishes of all of us.’
Ms Wood said she was honoured to be offered the position of Chair at the PC, but also sad to be leaving Grattan.
‘My time at Grattan has been the most exhilarating, challenging, and fun of my career,’ she said.
‘I’m proud that, under my leadership and that of my predecessor, founding CEO John Daley, Grattan has been able to evolve from an institute into an institution, with a central role in improving public policy in the interests of all Australians.
‘The credit for that belongs to the incredible staff we have at Grattan – they are stunningly bright, intellectually curious, and driven to improve public policy in the public interest. Australia is lucky to have them, and I will miss them all.’
Mr Maxsted said Grattan Institute will advertise immediately for a new CEO. The Board will retain a global recruitment firm to advise on the search.
For further enquiries email media@grattan.edu.au