Staff welcome new CSIRO CEO Larry Marshall
Staff at the CSIRO have welcomed the appointment of Larry Marshall as the new chief executive officer.
Dr Marshall has both science and business credential and was previously head of a venture capital firm specialising in developing Australian companies in Asia and the US.
He will replace predecessor Megan Clark who will leave the CSIRO in December after a six-year stint.
Dr Marshall will take up the position after spending 25 years overseas.
He told 666 ABC Caneberra the CSIRO is an organisation he had always admired.
"I've yet to meet a CSIRO employee who is there for the money or the benefits ... They really do want to change the world," he said.
"It gives me a lot of hope and comfort that I can lead them through these tough time we're experiencing."
The CSIRO faced a $110 million cut in funding from the May budget.
"Every company is cutting budgets, commercial as well," Dr Marshall said.
"There's the economic reality of generating revenue, but at the same time we'd be letting our country down if we didn't continue to create fundamental scientific breakthroughs."
But Dr Marshall said he was optimistic about the future of the CSIRO.
"It's a tall order but I plan to shake the hand of each and every CSIRO employee and talk to them over the coming months," he said.
"Without the team you don't have a company. Some of them know me well, some don't.
"But this is my opportunity to earn their trust so I can lead them through tough times."
Staff welcome new CEO's appointment
Sam Popovski from the CSIRO staff association said having a new leader would inject confidence into staff.
"We certainly think that CSIRO need a leader that will be able to restore public funding into the organisation and then attract new industries and new opportunities for research in Australia," he said.
"I think if Dr Marshall can use skills he's obtained in business then I think it will be a positive for staff."
Mr Popovski said he hoped Dr Marshall's diverse background would benefit the organisation.
"Dr Marshal is a different type of scientist introduced into this role," he said.
"He's a person with a background largely in venture capital and moving through patents and intellectual property.
"I think that will be an interesting challenge for CSIRO and something that might be unique."
