AustCyber has announced its CEO of four years, Michelle Price, will be leaving the company to take up an appointment as Partner at EY.
Price has been with AustCyber since its inception in January 2017 as Australia’s Cyber Security Industry Growth Centre. Under Michelle’s leadership, AustCyber has nurtured and helped develop a vibrant and growing network of Australian based companies participating in the exciting and burgeoning global cyber security industry. From humble beginnings with only a handful of companies in the network, AustCyber has helped build an Australian industry that now has over 600 companies with more than 350 of these born locally and a strong pipeline of startups growing into scaleups.
Commenting on the announcement, AustCyber’s Chair, Doug Elix AO, said, “It is with mixed emotions we received this news. Michelle has done exactly what the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centre Initiative was designed to do. She led AustCyber to help build a national network of globally competitive companies, to boost Australian employment and provide sovereign capability in the critical area of cyber security. She also led its transition into a more commercial context through our merger with Stone & Chalk.”
“Michelle has been an outstanding leader and has earned wide respect in Australian industry, government and research community, and is internationally recognised for her expertise and leadership within the cyber security sector. We are most grateful for her contributions and leadership. In short, Michelle has been the essence of AustCyber for the last five years. “On the other hand, we congratulate Michelle on her new appointment at EY where she will continue to show her leadership. We wish her every success.”
Recognising this as the next milestone for AustCyber’s transition to a financially sustainable non profit driver of innovation as part of its integration with Stone & Chalk, Michelle described the company’s impact so far. “It has been a true privilege to lead AustCyber to deliver on our mission to grow a vibrant and globally competitive Australian cyber security sector. From our partnerships with Australian governments and those overseas, to TAFEs and universities, to industry associations and chambers of commerce, to buyers and investors, and especially to the startups and scaleups, I am proud of what we have achieved so far.”
“It has been an honour to have worked alongside AustCyber’s Chairs and other Directors and I’m indebted to our creative and committed team in all its machinations over the years, including through our merger with Stone & Chalk and integration of our products, programs and national presence across emerging tech.”
“I am most proud that AustCyber has shaped what the economics of cyber security looks like for Australia, with a growing appreciation of the “L” shaped nature of the industry – a sector in its own right, creating jobs and retained benefit, and one that is at the core of the success of every other sector in the economy. Further, that we have helped shape the industry’s competitiveness and its equality and inclusion.”
“Now is the right time to pass the reins following the successful completion of the merger with Stone & Chalk. I’m very excited to be joining EY to continue my passion for cyber security and its role in an ever-changing strategic landscape.”
When AustCyber and Stone & Chalk merged in February 2021, the two organisations embarked on an integration to gain synergies in the digital economy.
With Michelle’s departure, the role of CEO will be assumed by Michael Bromley, also CEO of Stone & Chalk Group, as part of the next phase of AustCyber’s integration within the Group and continued delivery of its vital role in the Australian economy.
Michelle’s last day will be 22 March 2022.
