Glyn Davis Confirmed as New Head of the Ramsay Foundation

Former chancellor of Melbourne University, Glyn Davis, has been announced as the new head of the $3.6 billion Ramsay Foundation, in a move welcomed by the philanthropic and community sectors.

The Paul Ramsay Foundation confirmed to Pro Bono News on Wednesday that Davis was the incoming CEO, after reports emerged he was was stepping into the role.

Krystian Seibert, an industry fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University, told Pro Bono News the appointment was very exciting news.

“Professor Davis is an accomplished senior academic and public service leader, and his skills and experience will set him up well to make a big impact within the philanthropic sector,” Siebert said.

He said his experience working at the top levels of the public service would be particularly helpful to encourage collaboration between philanthropy and government.

“This is an area where there is a lot of potential,” he said.

The appointment of @GlynDavisANU is great news for the philanthropic sector – and also follows a practice from the US where senior academic and public service leaders are often appointed to head up large foundations https://t.co/1JiW4otOOv

— Krystian Seibert (@KSeibertAu) December 4, 2018

Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie also welcomed the news, and said he believed Davis would make a strong contribution to the Ramsay Foundation.

“Davis has established an international reputation as an educational leader and public policy thinker… It will be good to have someone of his intellect involved in leading the foundation as it begins to fulfil its purpose over the coming years,” Crosbie told Pro Bono News.

He said as one of the largest foundations in Australia, the Ramsay Foundation had the capacity to use its funding to be transformative within the charity sector.

“I look forward to seeing the Ramsay Foundation realise their potential to catalyse community building across Australia over the coming years,” he said.

The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation – distinct from the the Ramsay Foundation, but funded from the same bequest was the cause of a political interference controversy, after being accused of trying to force top Australian universities to establish a western civilisation degree course.

 But Seibert said he didn’t believe there was an ideological clash.

“I think some people mix up the foundation with the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation – and although they are funded by the same bequest, they are separate organisations,” he said.

“The foundation isn’t actually conservative, and it’s doing lots of great systems change work that is focused on solving complex societal problems rather than pursuing a particular ideology.”

He said it was also important to note outgoing CEO’s work for the organisation.

Glyn Davis did not respond to Pro Bono News’ request for comment.