The Australian HR Institute has chosen a leader for the 20s.

The first month of a new decade is an appropriate time to announce a new beginning. So it’s a fortuitous moment for the board of directors of the Australian HR Institute to announce the appointment of Sarah McCann-Bartlett as its new chief executive officer.  Sarah takes over from CEO Lyn Goodear, who has held the role for the past 7 ½ years. 

McCann-Bartlett was chosen after an extensive national and international executive search and will begin on 3 February 2020. 

McCann-Bartlett joins AHRI after serving as the director general (CEO) of the British Constructional Steelwork Association in London from September 2011 to December 2019. AHRI’s chairman Peter Wilson welcomed the appointment.

“On behalf of the AHRI Board, our State Councils, staff, and all our members, I am extremely pleased to welcome Sarah as AHRI’s new CEO. Sarah has had an outstanding record as a senior executive and CEO during her career to date,” says Wilson.

“Sarah brings advanced business, commercial and marketing skills to this role, developed from senior positions within a very competitive industry, and also global experience as the CEO of a major industry membership body during the last eight years in the United Kingdom. She also has a close understanding of regulatory and public policy issues in Victoria and Australia that will serve us well as the new CEO of this Institute.”

New beginnings

McCann-Bartlett says she is delighted to be taking on the role of CEO.

“I‘m very interested in the influence that the HR profession has on so many aspects of an organisation. It is the driver behind a strong and agile culture that delivers for a company’s people and customers,” she says. 

“As the leading professional HR association in Australia, AHRI plays a key role in advocating for the profession and ensuring it thrives into the future. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to take on the leadership responsibility for such an important body.” 

McCann-Bartlett will be drawing on vast experience. She has held a number of senior executive positions at the Victorian Building and Plumbing Industry Commissions, including as deputy commissioner. She has also held roles representing and supporting the nation’s wool industry with the Australian Wool Corporation and its successor The Woolmark Company in Melbourne, the UK and in New York where she held the role of president and group manager, Americas.

With her start date approaching within the next few weeks, McCann-Bartlett is already thinking of first steps.

“I am very much looking forward to getting my feet under the desk and working with the AHRI team. I’m also excited to meet our members and hear about how AHRI can best meet their needs and help prepare and position the profession for the future.”