Finance specialist Anna Hughes has been appointed as the first female CEO of the Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) in its 23-year history.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers selected Hughes to join the AOFM, and she’ll step into the role of CEO on 16 January 2023 following her predecessor, Rob Nicholl.
The AOFM ensures the Australian government can meet its spending, investment and debt payment obligations as well as providing advice to the government on a range of financial risks.
Chalmers said Hughes’ “expertise and leadership will be invaluable for the AOFM.”
“Ms Hughes has big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that she’ll do an outstanding job.”
Previous to her new CEO appointment, Hughes was South Australia’s deputy under-treasurer.
Before that, she worked as a finance executive with organisations such as the South Australian Government Financing Authority and Hall Advisory. She also worked as a policy officer for both the Queensland and federal governments as well as becoming managing director and lead analytical manager at S&P Global Ratings.
“Ms Hughes has more than 20 years’ experience as a leader in both the public and private sectors, holding senior roles in finance throughout the Asia-Pacific and in the South Australian government,” said Chalmers.
“Since joining the AOFM as CEO in 2011, Mr Nicholl has shown exemplary leadership and provided advice to government during some of Australia’s most complex economic challenges.”