Inaugural appointment to Helen Macpherson Smith Chair of Leadership for Social Impact at MBS [10.12.2009]

Following a lengthy selection process, Professor Ian Williamson has been selected from an international field of candidates to hold the inaugural Helen Macpherson Smith Chair of Leadership for Social Impact.

In this role he will head the Asia-Pacific School of Leadership for Social Impact at Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne. This is the first position of its kind at the University of Melbourne and one of a few only in the world. Professor Williamson will start in the role in January next year.

The Trust is thrilled at the appointment. Trustee Frances Awcock AM, says, "The nature of Ian Williamson's work and his achievements so far shows he has all the professional and personal characteristics required to break the barriers between the more rigid elements of academia and the less structured form of philanthropy and the community sector."

In April 2008, the Trust made its largest ever grant of $1.5m to the Melbourne Business School to establish this significant position.