Technology innovator to lead CSIRO

International technology innovator Dr Larry Marshall has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). He will replace outgoing chief executive Dr Megan Clark, who will leave the organisation at the end of December after six years in the role.

The chair of the CSIRO board, Simon McKeon, described the chief executive role as “probably the most important position in national science administration”. He said the organisation conducted a global search and considered more than 70 candidates for the position.

“Dr Marshall combines commercial and scientific credentials with extensive global experience, making him the world-class leader we were seeking for CSIRO,” McKeon said.

After receiving his doctorate in physics from Macquarie University, Dr Marshall began his career in the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. He became an inventor, with 20 patents protecting numerous commercial products generating over $200 million in revenue; an entrepreneur, raising over $100 million in funding and creating companies with over $1 billion in market cap; and an investor, with $400 million under management.

Dr Marshall has founded six successful US companies in biotechnology, photonics, telecommunications and semiconductors. He is on the boards of nine companies, chairman of three others and co-chairman of another two. He is also managing director of Southern Cross Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm specialising in creating Australian technology companies and growing them in Asia and the US.

“Dr Marshall has an impeccable record as a scientist, a technology innovator and business leader,” McKeon said.

“His wealth of experience in developing and applying science and technology makes him an excellent fit.”