Suckling steps down from Copyright Agency; SLV CEO Torney to depart library
The Copyright Agency has announced that Adam Suckling will be stepping down as CEO, following his decision to not renew his contract for another three-year term.
Copyright Agency board chair Kate Harrison said the strong leadership and commitment Suckling has shown over the years has enhanced the work and delivery of the organisation.
According to a statement from the organisation, as CEO of the agency for six years Suckling instigated considerable changes to the organisation including recasting its strategy, completing a major digital transformation program, and managing strategic Copyright Tribunal litigation to defend fair payments to publishers, writers and visual artists. Suckling has also advocated for fair and balanced copyright policy settings within the agency to promote investment and protect jobs, fairly remunerate creators and ensure users can access quality Australian content, Copyright Agency said.
‘Copyright Agency are so critical to helping make the big things happen: facilitating access to the world’s content, supporting journalism, helping our talented writers create great novels or inspiring education works, helping publishers invest and employ Australians, and contributing to the practice of Australia’s extraordinary visual artists,’ said Suckling.
‘I would like to deeply thank our former chair, Kim Williams, our current chair, Kate Harrison and all board members for their valuable governance, support and guidance.’
Suckling will leave the organisation in February 2022.
Torney to depart SLV
State Library Victoria (SLV) CEO Kate Torney will leave the library in September to take up the role of CEO of the Peter MacCallum Foundation.
‘During her six-year tenure as CEO, Kate oversaw the Library’s $88.1 million Vision 2020 redevelopment, which transformed its spaces and services to become a true library of the future,’ said Library Board of Victoria president Christine Christian.
‘This included raising $27.7 million in philanthropic support for the project, which enabled the creation of StartSpace for early-stage entrepreneurs, a reimagined Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter and the magnificent refurbishment of the historic Ian Potter Queen’s Hall.’
Christian added that Torney ‘has done an outstanding job of rapidly responding to the changing needs of our community’ during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to creative industries minister Danny Pearson, ‘The Vision 2020 redevelopment would not have been possible without Kate’s leadership, advocacy and passion.’ He also noted, ‘During the pandemic, she led her team to quickly adapt its services, delivering 150 digital programs in just over a year, attracting more than 1.7 million online visits.’
Torney said: ‘I have cherished being part of a thriving library sector that contributes so much, in so many different ways—spanning education, literacy, economic development, creativity and wellbeing—and to contribute to Victoria’s vibrant creative industries, which will play such a vital role in Covid-19-recovery.’
SLV director, enablers Sarah Slade will act as interim CEO while the search for a new CEO is underway.
Category: Local news
