A former Westpac executive has been appointed as the new chair of Housing Australia.
The federal government has appointed Ann Sherry AO, a former Westpac executive and current NAB non-executive director, as the new chair of Housing Australia, placing a financial-services leader at the head of the agency responsible for key elements of the government’s $47 billion housing agenda.
Announced on Monday (31 August), the appointment ends an extended period of interim leadership at Housing Australia following former chair Carol Austin’s resignation in November.
Board member Damien Tangey had been acting as interim chair.
The government said that Sherry brings senior experience across banking, business, education, and the community sector.
She held a series of executive roles at Westpac from 1994 to 2007, including CEO positions at Bank of Melbourne and Westpac New Zealand.
Sherry subsequently led Carnival Australia as CEO and later executive chairman from 2007–19, before becoming Queensland University of Technology’s sixth chancellor in 2022.
Alongside her NAB board role, Sherry is currently the chair of the Super Members Council of Australia and UNICEF Australia.
Housing Minister Claire O’Neil said Sherry’s cross-sector experience made her well suited to oversee an agency whose responsibilities have expanded substantially.
“Sherry is highly qualified for the role, bringing extensive leadership experience across government, business and the community sector, as well as a strong record of leading large and complex organisations,” O’Neil said.
Major delivery agenda
Housing Australia administers major federal housing programs, including the 5 per cent Deposit Scheme, Help to Buy, and the Housing Australia Future Fund.
The appointment coincides with the release of an independent Capability Assessment of Housing Australia, which the government said provided a roadmap for strengthening the agency as it manages a larger pipeline of housing commitments.
O’Neil said the incoming chair and the review would support Housing Australia’s next stage of operation.
“Ann Sherry brings exceptional leadership experience and a strong record of delivering results across some of Australia’s most significant organisations,” O’Neil said.
“Her appointment, together with the independent Capability Assessment released today, provides a strong foundation and clear blueprint to take Housing Australia forward.”
The minister said the agency’s performance would be central to translating the government’s policy commitments into completed dwellings and greater home ownership access.
“Housing Australia has a critical job ahead – delivering tens of thousands of homes and helping more Australians into home ownership – and we are making sure it has the leadership and capability to get that job done,” she said.
Sherry said increasing housing supply would be the agency’s core task as it worked with its board and executive team.
“Delivering more houses to address the nation’s housing needs is the challenge before Housing Australia and critical for our community,” Sherry said.
“I look forward to working with the board and management team to get this important job done.”
[Related: New lender joins Help to Buy scheme]
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