Dear Staff,
I am delighted to announce that Andrew Flannery has been appointed as the University’s next Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Andrew is well known throughout the UQ community, having served as our Chief Financial Officer over the past two years. During this period, he has played a critical role in leading the University’s response to the disruptive financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew was chosen as our next COO following a thorough international search. He will bring to the role more than 30 years of professional experience in leading large, complex organisations, both in Australia and abroad.
Prior to joining UQ in July 2019, Andrew held a number of senior executive roles at the Flight Centre Travel Group in Brisbane (2003–2018) and Credit Suisse First Boston in London (1996–2002). During this period, he established a track record of successfully leading multi-disciplinary teams working across a broad range of professional areas including finance, audit, HR, IT, legal and marketing.
The selection panel felt confident in appointing Andrew based on his vast experience; his deep understanding of our operating environment; his broad network of contacts throughout UQ; and his professional and collaborative nature.
As COO, Andrew will also become a member of the UQ Senior Executive Team (USET).
He will officially step into the role in a month’s time, on Monday 5 July. There will then be a period of handover until the end of July, in which he will work closely with our current Acting COO, Rob Moffatt AM.
I would especially like to thank and acknowledge Rob for his strong and highly valued leadership and professionalism over the past six months, while he has been our Acting COO.
Once the handover of the COO role is complete, Rob will assume leadership of several high-profile projects across UQ, including oversight of the implementation of HCMS, prior to his retirement later this year.
I’m sure you’ll join me in thanking Rob and congratulating Andrew over the coming weeks.
With best wishes
Debbie
Professor Deborah Terry AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
The University of Queensland
T +61 7 3365 1300
E vc@uq.edu.au W uq.edu.au
