The Australian Synchrotron has announced the appointment of Professor Keith Nugent as Director Australian Synchrotron (AS).

Professor Nugent’s appointment is one of four new senior appointments. The Board has also announced a re-organisation of senior AS responsibilities.

Professor Nugent, Research Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-ray Science and Laureate Professor of Physics at the University of Melbourne, will replace Dr George Borg who has been Acting Director of the Australian Synchrotron . He will combine the position with his existing responsibilities. Dr Borg will take on the new role of Chief Operating Officer and be responsible for day to day management of the facility.

Professor Nugent will focus on and be responsible for the AS’s scientific leadership and strategic development. He is currently a member of the AS Board of Directors but will step down from the Board to take on his new role.

The appointment follows an international search.

Dr Borg will become AS Chief Operating Officer responsible for AS operational and administrative matters. Both Professor Nugent and Dr Borg will report to the Board and attend Board meetings.

The two appointments follow the appointment in late 2010 of a new Head of Science, Dr Andrew Peele.

The AS has also announced the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, Mr Michael Tonroe. Mr Tonroe has been CFO and company secretary at companies in Australia, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

The AS Board said it was delighted to be able to appoint a distinguished and respected scientist such as Professor Nugent. The Board paid tribute to the outstanding work Dr. Borg had done as Acting Director. It also expressed its appreciation to University of Melbourne which had made Professor Nugent’s appointment possible.

The Board said the re-organisation aimed to further enhance the AS’ focus on producing great science while ensuring that its administration maintained high standards of effectiveness, accountability and compliance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Dr Shirley Lanning (03) 8540 4293 or 0428 888 275