Honouring our former Chair and welcoming new leadership at Burnet

Earlier this year, Burnet marked an important leadership transition – honouring an extraordinary legacy while welcoming new leadership for the future.

In February, Mr James Flintoft was appointed Chair of the Burnet Board, following the retirement of Ms Mary Padbury after 15 years of dedicated service, including seven as Chair.

Mary was Burnet’s first female Chair and led the Institute through a period of remarkable growth despite much global uncertainty. With clarity and care, she strengthened our commitment to creating a more equitable world through better health.

During her tenure, and with the support of donors like you, Burnet delivered significant milestones. These included launching our ambitious 2030 Strategy, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and completing major initiatives such as the commercialisation and sale of 360 biolabs. Together, these achievements strengthened our financial sustainability and expanded our impact in Australia and globally.

We thank Mary sincerely for her wisdom, integrity and enormous contribution to Burnet during her time with us.

We have strong foundations on which to build with the support of our exceptional incoming Chair, James Flintoft.

James brings extensive experience across business and government, including senior roles with McKinsey and Co, ANZ and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

An experienced Non-Executive Director, James currently serves on the boards of Transport Accident Commission, Development Victoria, Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal, Foundation House for Refugees, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Care (VCCC) Alliance and Epworth Healthcare Group.

His leadership will help guide Burnet through a rapidly changing global health landscape and ensure we are well positioned for a long and sustainable future.