New Alzheimer’s Australia Vic president

Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria has announced Graeme Samuel as its newly elected and appointed incoming president.

“We are thrilled to welcome Graeme Samuel as Alzheimer’s Australia Vic’s new president,” Maree McCabe, Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria chief executive, said.

“Graeme has long been a supporter of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic and we welcome the opportunity to work with him.

“With his hugely impressive business experience across a multitude of sectors, Graeme is well placed to provide considerable and invaluable expertise to our organisation,” Ms McCabe said.

Mr Samuel is a corporate advisor with specialist expertise in competition and consumer regulation, communications and media, corporate governance, strategic planning and change management, public policy and dealings with government and regulators.

His professional career has spanned senior roles in law, investment banking and public service, covering sport, health, the arts, business and public policy in economic reform and regulation.

“I am honoured to be joining Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria as president. My family and I cared for my mother who lived with dementia and, as such, this is a cause very close to my heart,” he said.

“We have experienced, first hand, the impact this chronic disease has on a person and their family.

“I look forward to working with the board in supporting the dedicated team at Alzheimer’s Australia Vic. It is a privilege to assume this role within an organisation that makes an immeasurable difference to the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers.”

Mr Samuel is a Professor in Business and Economics at Monash University. He is a member of the Council of the Australian National University and a member of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia’s (CEDA’s) Council of Economic Policy. He is also the Chairman of the Victorian Taxi Services Commission.

Mr Samuel has held numerous roles in public service. The most notable of these was his membership of the National Competition Council from 1995 and Presidency of the Council from 1997 to 2003. This was followed by his appointment to the position of Chairman of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) in 2003 and his subsequent appointment as an Associate Member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority in 2007, both of which positions he held until July 2011.

In 1998 Mr Samuel was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia. In 2010 he was elevated to a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia – the highest level of recognition for an Australian citizen.

Mr Samuel takes over from predecessor David Galbally AM QC, who stepped down from the board at Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria last month after seven years as board member, three of which he spent as president.