Council Members

The Hon Catherine Branson AC SC is a graduate of the University of Adelaide in both Arts and Law. She is a former Crown Solicitor of South Australia and CEO of the Attorney-General's Department.

She served for more than 14 years as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia and for 4 years as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. She received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Adelaide in 2011, a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from Flinders University in 2012, and a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) from Macquarie University in 2014. Catherine Branson is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.

Ms Branson was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2018.

On 13 July 2020, Council appointed Ms Branson as the 17th Chancellor of the University of Adelaide for a two-year term until 12 July 2022.  In February 2022, Council re-appointed Ms Branson for a further two-year term until 12 July 2024.  In February 2024, Council re-appointed Ms Branson for a further two-year term until 12 July 2026.

Mr Michael (Mike) Barber has over 25 years' experience in the ICT sector. He has held senior leadership positions within the Government of South Australia and the private sector including Electronic Data Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Connected Solutions Group and NEC Australia.

He has considerable experience in business transformation, corporate governance, risk management, financial management and strategic planning and a deep understanding of business systems, managed services, cloud computing, cyber security, and biometrics.

Mr Barber is currently CEO of Data Action and is also a Director of Transforming Solutions, a boutique consulting and advisory company providing services to Government, business, and Not for Profit organisations in South Australia.

He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Business (MIS).

Joanne is the current Discipline Lead of Physiology, School of Biomedicine, and has been in this role since 2019. Joanne also manages a team of dedicated researchers as Head of the Cancer Treatment & Toxicities Group. This group explores mechanisms and management for acute and late-onset side effects of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Joanne received her PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2006 and worked as a medical researcher in the Hanson Institute and Royal Adelaide Hospital before moving into an academic role at the University. Joanne has been recognised as an international leader in the field of digestive complications of cancer therapy, frequently working with pharmaceutical companies to improve drug tolerance and effectiveness.

Joanne’s teaching focus is predominantly research education and achieves excellence in this area through Faculty Honours Coordination. Joanne embeds translational employability skills to support all graduates and has been recognised with a Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in Supervisory Practice. Joanne is dedicated to promoting gender equity through both mentorship and University-led initiatives and was a long-standing member of the Faculty Gender Equity and Diversity Committee.

Joanne provides leadership in the world-largest Supportive Oncology Society as Treasurer of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC). Joanne has been a Board Member of MASCC since 2018, and before that, was a member of the Board of the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR). Through these roles, Joanne has a focus on research strategy and workforce as well as professional development of early career researchers.

Juliet Brown has significant experience in business and the law extending over various industries including financial services, particularly superannuation and insurance, as well as health, and transport in both the public and private sectors. She has extensive experience as an independent non-executive director, including considerable chairmanship and audit committee experience of APRA regulated entities. Since 2005 Juliet has concentrated full time on her board work as an independent non-executive director.

From 1999 to 2004 Juliet held the position of Chief Executive of Thomson Playford, (now Thomson Geer) one of South Australia's largest commercial law firms. In her five years as Chief Executive she led the firm through a period of successful development and growth including the initiation of the firm’s expansion beyond South Australia with the establishment of offices in Sydney and Melbourne.

Prior to joining Thomson Playford, Juliet had undertaken senior practice management roles as well as having practised as a solicitor in commercial litigation for both public and private sector clients, at senior management and board level, particularly in the insurance and health areas for over 20 years.

Juliet was elected Deputy Chancellor on 24 June 2024 for a two-year term, subject to her remaining a member of Council.

John Charlton is a graduate of the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching. He has served on Wilderness School Council for 12 years (7 years as Chair) and St Peter’s College Council for 5 years. He has been a member of the University of Adelaide Finance Committee since 2015.

John has been involved in the retail business most of his working life being the founder, owner and managing director of Spendless Shoes Pty Ltd for 31 years. He was ranked as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Retailers in Australia for 7 years (2011-2018).

He is currently a director of Lovisa Holdings Ltd (an ASX listed company) and Detmold Group. He is an investor and owner of several industrial, retail and office properties throughout Australia.

John was appointed as a co-opted member of Council under sub-section 12(1)(j) of the University of Adelaide Act 1971, for a term from 2 May 2024 to 1 May 2026.

Lachlan has been employed at the University since 2007 and has served extensively on University boards, committees and working groups. He is currently a member of the People and Culture Committee (University Council sub-committee), and was previously an elected professional staff representative on Academic Board (University Council sub-committee).

Lachlan is currently Chairman of the Adelaide University Cricket Club Executive Committee.

He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Lachlan completed his Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts at the University of Adelaide in 2004, and more recently has been the recipient of the Bill Cowan Barr Smith Library Research Fellowship (University of Adelaide), and the Australian War Memorial Research Fellowship.

His current role as Director, Student Engagement and Success provides key support for the University’s learning and teaching, curriculum and governance functions.

Susy is an experienced company director, risk management consultant, and business mentor with her own business, MQM Business Consultants. She has 28 years’ experience in risk and strategic consulting for the public and private sector. Her governance expertise includes 19 years as a facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors in the Foundations of Directorship, Company Directors Course, Applied Risk Governance, and Governance to Protect Vulnerable People.

Susy’s current appointments include: Deputy Chair, Women’s and Children’s Health Network; Director, Police Credit Union; Director, St Andrew’s Hospital; Director, St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation; Director Anglicare SA; External Member, Department of Infrastructure and Transport Risk and Performance Committee

Elected as the postgraduate student member of Council for a term 6 March 2024 to 5 March 2026.

Ian Henschke graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Dip.Ed. and was as a teacher before studying, then joining the staff, at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. He has worked as a print, television, and radio journalist for more than four decades. He’s been a ministerial adviser and reported for two commercial networks as well as the ABC. He won a Reuters Chevening Fellowship to Oxford to study climate change. His ABCTV/BBC World documentary that followed won the Jury Prize at the Grenoble International Film Festival. He was the Staff Elected Director on the ABC Board from 2000-2002 and awarded the Centenary of Federation medal for services to broadcasting. He served on the Advisory Board of the University of South Australia’s Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technology. Ian was Chief Advocate for National Seniors Australia from 2017-2023 and is a passionate spokesperson for the rights of older people. He’s also an ambassador for Advanced Care Planning Australia and the Love Hope and Gratitude Foundation. Ian is married with two daughters. The eldest is studying in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Adelaide University. Ian Henschke was appointed as a graduate member of the council for a two-year term from 6 September 2022, and re-election for a second two-year term from 6 September 2024 to 5 September 2026, and serves on the Special Degrees Committee.

Belinda has over 30 years’ experience in the field of People & Culture.  She has held a number of senior executive positions, leading the People & Culture functions for the Bank of Queensland, Bankwest and Elders. This is in addition to having held a wide range of roles within People & Culture / HR teams as she grew her career.  She has a passion for enabling people’s potential in the workplace and building constructive, ethical workplace cultures. 

In addition to her People & Culture specialisation, Belinda has been an active member of executive leadership teams that have reshaped business strategy to respond to shifting economic, market and social trends.

Her most recent executive roles were with ASX listed companies Bank of Queensland and Elders.  These required her to work closely with the Board and Remuneration, People & Culture Committees to ensure effective governance and alignment of the organisation’s people and culture practices, including remuneration arrangements, with the organisation’s strategic goals and values.

Professor Scott Smith is Chair of Academic Board for the 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025 term.

Scott is Professor of Structural Engineering, and Deputy Dean International (DDI) for the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET) at The University of Adelaide. He holds degrees in engineering, business, and education via BE (Civil) (1994) and PhD (1999) (specialising in structural engineering) (University of New South Wales, Australia); MBA and DIC (2018) (Imperial College London, UK); Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning (2005) (University of Technology Sydney, Australia).

His research interests include (i) materials, structures and construction practices for off-earth (extra-terrestrial) applications; and (ii) application of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to the built environment. Scott has been awarded research funds in excess of AUD$11 million to date. He has also developed and delivered a range of courses throughout his career related to the analysis and design of concrete as well as steel and timber structures, engineering materials, mechanics, repair and rehabilitation of the built environment, sustainable development, communication, and research ethics.

Scott is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). He is Immediate Past President of the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC) and Founding President of the Australian Society for Off-Earth Construction (ASOC). He is also an elected Board Member of the Charles Sturt Memorial Museum Trust Inc., and an elected Director of the Judo Federation of Australia (South Australia) Inc.

Elected as the undergraduate student member of Council for a term 6 March 2024 to 5 March 2026.