The PMSA Board today announced current PMSA Board member Peter Barker as PMSA Chair-elect following the retirement announcement of current Chair Morgan Parker.
Mr Barker has more than 30 years’ experience with multinational corporations in Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA and is currently the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of ASX listed Cardno Ltd.
Mr Parker said Peter Barker is a globally experienced executive and governance officer and has outstanding credentials to lead the PMSA Board into its next exciting chapter.
“Vice-captain of his BBC year in 1985, Peter is passionate about the important role education creates for young people,” Mr Parker said.
Mr Parker’s retirement from the PMSA effective from June 2021 follows his recent appointment as Chair of SunCentral and expansion of his board portfolio domestically and internationally.
“Since day one, I’ve understood the historic proportions of the PMSA and the role of any board member being akin to an ephemeral custodian,” Mr Parker said.
“I believe a critical component of an effective Board is its ability to renew itself and this is what this transition achieves.
“I have given my heart and soul to this volunteer role over the past three years and it has been an enormously rewarding period,” Mr Parker said.
Chair-elect Mr Barker thanked Mr Parker for his outstanding leadership of the PMSA through a period of transformation which is unparalleled in the organisation’s 100-year history.
“Under Morgan’s visionary leadership, the PMSA has undergone comprehensive reform and professionalisation that positions us strongly for the future.”
“In all that we have achieved as an organisation, our focus has remained firmly on enhancing the experience of students at our four outstanding schools,” Mr Barker said.
Mr Parker thanked the other members of the PMSA Board, executive team and staff for their experience and dedication to guiding the organisation through a period of unprecedented change.
“Having served in this role, I am convinced, more than ever, in the bright future of the PMSA and our schools. Our focus has been ensuring the sustainability of our schools over the next 100 years and they will reap the benefits of the changes we have made.”
Since his appointment to the Board, Morgan has overseen more than 50 changes to the PMSA’s governance model that has led to greater autonomy for schools, improved compliance, transparency and commercial management across the PMSA Group.
Key reforms during his leadership include the revitalisation of governance officers leading to greater diversity and community representation; creation of a Child Protection & Safeguarding Committee; development of an industry-benchmark HRIS and Enterprise Agreement improving efficiencies and the PMSA’s ability to attract and retain quality staff; and leveraging of the Group’s scale to save $1 million annually through joint procurement efforts.
Mr Parker was also instrumental in developing the PMSA’s new Strategic Plan, which challenges the organisation to think beyond the day-to-day operations of the school and contemplate our greater purpose in developing Australia’s next generation; and example of which was the Annual Australian Leadership Lecture which was successfully held last week with Noel Pearson as key-note speaker.
In other Board changes, experienced educator Margaret Berry will take on the Deputy Chair role replacing Wayne Knapp, who will remain on the Board.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Caroline Thurlow, Group Executive – Corporate Affairs
E: cthurlow@pmsa-schools.edu.au
M: 0414 565 575
The Presbyterian and Methodist Association (PMSA) was established in 1918 and is a joint mission of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. The PMSA owns and governs four of Queensland’s outstanding independent schools – Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield College, Somerville House and Sunshine Coast Grammar School.