Mr Mitchell AC has served as Chairman of The Florey since 2012, overseeing the Institute through growth and success, including the amalgamation of Florey Neuroscience Institutes and the Mental Health Research Institute. This leadership has established The Florey as the largest brain and mind research institute in the Southern Hemisphere.
“It has been a great honour to have served as Chairman of The Florey’s Board. I am incredibly proud of the Institute’s achievements and am confident in the future of The Florey. I look forward to continuing to be a strong supporter of the wonderful science that is underway at The Florey, which is so important for the health of Australians,” said Mr Mitchell AC.
Mr Jones AM will be appointed to the role of Chairman effective 4 December 2020, following a handover period. Mr Jones AM has been Deputy Chairman of The Florey since November 2018, and a member of the Board since December 2008.
“I am deeply honoured to have been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, as The Florey continues in its important mission to solve the greatest brain and mind challenges of our era. With almost five million Australians diagnosed each year with one of the diseases that The Florey studies, the research underway is vitally important to the community.”
In addition to his long association with The Florey, Mr Jones AM has had an extensive career with KPMG, including 25 years as a Partner. During this period, he has held many appointments, including the Ethics and Independence Partner, Chief Operating Officer of the Firm’s Risk Management Group and Head of the Board Advisory Services practice. He is currently an Executive Director at KPMG with quality and risk oversight responsibilities for seven member firms in the Asia Pacific region. He is also the Chairman of the Jigsaw Foundation, which supports research into paediatric plastic and maxillofacial surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and in 2015 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his significant service to medical research.
“I would like to acknowledge Harold Mitchell’s invaluable contribution to The Florey over his years as Chairman. Together with the rest of the Board and the executive team, I thank Harold for his leadership, guidance and support over many years.”