ATSE appoints new CEO

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has appointed Dr Margaret Hartley, a respected regulatory scientist, as its chief executive officer.

Academy president Professor Robin Batterham, announcing the appointment, said Dr Hartley had wide experience in leading and managing Australia's chemical regulation policy framework, and developing and implementing related health policy.

She was previously the principal scientific advisor in the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and the director of the Office of Chemical Safety, which is responsible for human health risk assessment and chemical safety and environmental health policy, as well as regulatory compliance activities for the licit use of narcotics, other controlled substances, antibiotics and drugs in sports.

Dr Hartley was Australia’s industrial chemical regulator from 1997–2006, responsible for leading and managing the regulation of chemicals and cosmetics and promoting safe and sustainable use of industrial chemicals. As CEO she oversaw governance, financial and all performance aspects of the business.

Professor Batterham said Dr Hartley had received wide recognition for introducing innovative reforms in chemicals regulation, which were achieved via industry, government and community partnerships.

“Dr Hartley has wide experience as a senior government representative in negotiations including in international treaty negotiations and regularly represents Australia at the OECD, and is chair of the WHO's Steering Committee for its International Program on Chemical Safety's Harmonisation of Risk Assessment Methodology Project.

“Over the past two years, she has played a lead role in establishing a number of cooperative activities within APEC via the Chemicals Dialogue within the Trade Minister's program of activities.

“The ATSE Board believes Dr Hartley will be an outstanding CEO and make a strong contribution to the leadership and positioning of the academy,” Professor Batterham said.

Dr Hartley is an Adjunct Professor with the University of Queensland where she is a member of the Industry Advisory Group to the School of Chemical and Biological Sciences. Prior to her work in government, she held research and academic positions in pharmacology and then epidemiology at Monash University and the ANU.

Bill Mackey, ATSE’s acting CEO and its communications director for the past three years, has been appointed deputy CEO.