The Australian National University (ANU) has appointed Dr Gordon de Brouwer AO PSM FIPAA as its 14th Chancellor.
ANU said de Brouwer brings more than four decades of experience in public policy, governance, institutional leadership and reform. He has held senior leadership roles across the Australian Government, including as Australian Public Service Commissioner and Secretary for Public Sector Reform. He has also served as Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy, Associate Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and in senior roles at Treasury and the Reserve Bank of Australia.
ANU said the appointment followed an extensive and independent search process conducted in accordance with the University’s Voluntary Undertaking with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). The process was overseen by an Independent Panel chaired by Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO, which sought feedback from the ANU community and unanimously recommended de Brouwer. ANU Council endorsed the recommendation.
Acting Pro-Chancellor Andrew Metcalfe AO said de Brouwer brings “an exceptional combination of governance experience, national leadership and deep knowledge of ANU” and said the university would benefit from “strong stewardship” as it works to strengthen its position as Australia’s national university.
De Brouwer said he was honoured to be appointed Chancellor and pointed to ANU’s national mission, governance, strategy and culture as priorities. He said he intended to be active across the University and to work with Council, the Interim Vice-Chancellor and the broader ANU community.
ANU said de Brouwer will commence as Chancellor on 19 August 2026.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Glyn Davis AC, Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne and former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, said de Brouwer “combines deep public policy expertise with a commitment to universities as vital civic institutions”.
Elizabeth Broderick AO, former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, said de Brouwer has “a stellar record of building diverse, inclusive and high-performing teams”.
Luke Redward, previously Director of the First Nations Unit at the Australian Public Service Commission and now at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, said de Brouwer supported greater First Nations representation in senior leadership across the APS.
ANU said de Brouwer completed a PhD in Economics at ANU in 1996 and has held academic and governance roles at the University, including as Professor of Economics and, since May 2026, as an Honorary Professor. ANU said he served as Australian Public Service Commissioner from 2022 to 2026 and has held board roles including with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and The Nature Conservancy Australia. ANU said he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2026 and is also a recipient of the Public Service Medal.
