Council Members

The Hon Catherine Branson AC KC is a graduate of the University of Adelaide in both Arts and Law. She is a former Crown Solicitor of South Australia and CEO of the Attorney-General's Department.

She served for more than 14 years as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia and for 4 years as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. She received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Adelaide in 2011, a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from Flinders University in 2012, and a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) from Macquarie University in 2014. Catherine Branson is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.

Ms Branson was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2018.

On 13 July 2020, Council appointed Ms Branson as the 17th Chancellor of the University of Adelaide for a two-year term until 12 July 2022.  In February 2022, Council re-appointed Ms Branson for a further two-year term until 12 July 2024.  In February 2024, Council re-appointed Ms Branson for a further two-year term until 12 July 2026.

Mr Kenneth Williams was first appointed to Council on 13 October 2020 and re-appointed on 13 October 2022; his term ends on 12 October 2025.  He was elected Deputy Chancellor for a two-year term from 17 August 2022 to 16 August 2024.

Mr Michael (Mike) Barber has over 25 years' experience in the ICT sector. He has held senior leadership positions within the Government of South Australia and the private sector including Electronic Data Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Connected Solutions Group and NEC Australia.

He has considerable experience in business transformation, corporate governance, risk management, financial management and strategic planning and a deep understanding of business systems, managed services, cloud computing, cyber security, and biometrics.

Mr Barber is currently CEO of Data Action and is also a Director of Transforming Solutions, a boutique consulting and advisory company providing services to Government, business, and Not for Profit organisations in South Australia.

He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Business (MIS).

Joanne is the current Discipline Lead of Physiology, School of Biomedicine, and has been in this role since 2019. Joanne also manages a team of dedicated researchers as Head of the Cancer Treatment & Toxicities Group. This group explores mechanisms and management for acute and late-onset side effects of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Joanne received her PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2006 and worked as a medical researcher in the Hanson Institute and Royal Adelaide Hospital before moving into an academic role at the University. Joanne has been recognised as an international leader in the field of digestive complications of cancer therapy, frequently working with pharmaceutical companies to improve drug tolerance and effectiveness.

Joanne’s teaching focus is predominantly research education and achieves excellence in this area through Faculty Honours Coordination. Joanne embeds translational employability skills to support all graduates and has been recognised with a Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in Supervisory Practice. Joanne is dedicated to promoting gender equity through both mentorship and University-led initiatives and was a long-standing member of the Faculty Gender Equity and Diversity Committee.

Joanne provides leadership in the world-largest Supportive Oncology Society as Treasurer of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC). Joanne has been a Board Member of MASCC since 2018, and before that, was a member of the Board of the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR). Through these roles, Joanne has a focus on research strategy and workforce as well as professional development of early career researchers.

Juliet Brown has significant experience in business and the law extending over various industries including financial services, particularly superannuation and insurance, as well as health, and transport in both the public and private sectors. She has extensive experience as an independent non-executive director, including considerable chairmanship and audit committee experience of APRA regulated entities. Since 2005 Juliet has concentrated full time on her board work as an independent non-executive director.

From 1999 to 2004 Juliet held the position of Chief Executive of Thomson Playford, (now Thomson Geer) one of South Australia's largest commercial law firms. In her five years as Chief Executive she led the firm through a period of successful development and growth including the initiation of the firm’s expansion beyond South Australia with the establishment of offices in Sydney and Melbourne.

Prior to joining Thomson Playford, Juliet had undertaken senior practice management roles as well as having practised as a solicitor in commercial litigation for both public and private sector clients, at senior management and board level, particularly in the insurance and health areas for over 20 years.

Lachlan has been employed at the University since 2007 and has served extensively on University boards, committees and working groups. He is currently a member of the People and Culture Committee (University Council sub-committee), and was previously an elected professional staff representative on Academic Board (University Council sub-committee).

Lachlan is currently Chairman of the Adelaide University Cricket Club Executive Committee.

He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Lachlan completed his Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts at the University of Adelaide in 2004, and more recently has been the recipient of the Bill Cowan Barr Smith Library Research Fellowship (University of Adelaide), and the Australian War Memorial Research Fellowship.

His current role as Director, Student Engagement and Success provides key support for the University’s learning and teaching, curriculum and governance functions.

Elected as the postgraduate student member of Council for a term 6 March 2024 to 5 March 2026.

A chartered accountant, Janet is an independent professional director and experienced business adviser having worked in professional services for more than 25 years, the last 15 years as a partner in Big 4 accounting firm, EY.

Janet has a strong commercial and finance background with a practical understanding of and experience with both the public and private sectors, advising organisations on finance, strategy and risk management.

Janet was appointed to the Council on 5 February 2019 and is Chair of the Risk Committee.

Her other board positions include:

• Director of SA Water Corporation and member of the Governance, Finance and Risk Committee and the People and Culture Committee
• Director of the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority Ltd
• Director of Helping Hand Aged Care Inc.
• Member of the Libraries Board of South Australia
• Member of the SA Football Commission

Previous roles include:

• Member and deputy chair of the inaugural State Planning Commission of South Australia
• Partner and business unit director, EY
• Member of the Property Council of Australia, SA finance and tax committee

She is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a registered tax agent.

Ian Henschke graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Dip.Ed. and was as a teacher before studying, then joining the staff, at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. He has worked as a print, television, and radio journalist for more than four decades. He’s been a ministerial adviser and reported for two commercial networks as well as the ABC. He won a Reuters Chevening Fellowship to Oxford to study climate change. His ABCTV/BBC World documentary that followed won the Jury Prize at the Grenoble International Film Festival. He was the Staff Elected Director on the ABC Board from 2000-2002 and awarded the Centenary of Federation medal for services to broadcasting. He served on the Advisory Board of the University of South Australia’s Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technology. Ian was Chief Advocate for National Seniors Australia from 2017-2023 and is a passionate spokesperson for the rights of older people. He’s also an ambassador for Advanced Care Planning Australia and the Love Hope and Gratitude Foundation. Ian is married with two daughters. The eldest is studying in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Adelaide University. Ian Henschke was appointed as a graduate member of the council for a two-year term from 6 September 2022 to 5 September 2024, and serves on the Special Degrees Committee.

Andy Keough CSC, Managing Director, Saab Australia

Andy served for 22 years in the Australian Navy which included command of two Collins Class submarines and a three-year exchange posting with the US Navy's Submarine Force in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for his leadership in command of HMAS SHEEAN in 2006.

Andy retired from the Navy in 2007 and joined ASC where he was responsible for establishing the business improvement capability and managing ASC's operations in WA, which included maintenance and training for the Collins Class fleet.

After a two-year stint as Chief Executive Officer of Defence SA, Andy commenced as the Managing Director of Saab Australia in 2017.

Andy's other roles include:

• Chair of the Australian Industry Group (AiG) Defence Council
• Member of:
  • South Australia Skills Commission
  • Prime Ministers Veterans' Employment Program Industry Advisory Committee

Professor Scott Smith is Chair of Academic Board for the 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025 term.

Scott is Professor of Structural Engineering, and Deputy Dean International (DDI) for the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET) at The University of Adelaide. He holds degrees in engineering, business, and education via BE (Civil) (1994) and PhD (1999) (specialising in structural engineering) (University of New South Wales, Australia); MBA and DIC (2018) (Imperial College London, UK); Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning (2005) (University of Technology Sydney, Australia).

His research interests include (i) materials, structures and construction practices for off-earth (extra-terrestrial) applications; and (ii) application of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to the built environment. Scott has been awarded research funds in excess of AUD$11 million to date. He has also developed and delivered a range of courses throughout his career related to the analysis and design of concrete as well as steel and timber structures, engineering materials, mechanics, repair and rehabilitation of the built environment, sustainable development, communication, and research ethics.

Scott is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). He is Immediate Past President of the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC) and Founding President of the Australian Society for Off-Earth Construction (ASOC). He is also an elected Board Member of the Charles Sturt Memorial Museum Trust Inc., and an elected Director of the Judo Federation of Australia (South Australia) Inc.

The Honourable Amanda Vanstone AO was appointed by Council on 16 December 2019 for a two-year term from 1 January 2020.  Ms Vanstone was re-appointed for a second term from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023.

Elected as the undergraduate student member of Council for a term 6 March 2024 to 5 March 2026.