The University Council is the governing body of the University of Tasmania. It is established by the University of Tasmania Act 1992.
University Council is chaired by current Chancellor, Ms Alison Watkins AM, who is elected by Council members.
In addition to chairing Council, the role of the Chancellor is to confer degrees and to work with the Vice-Chancellor (the chief academic and executive officer of the University) to ensure that major decisions of the University are sound. This means that the Vice-Chancellor will consult with the Chancellor and Council and seek guidance or input as is appropriate and keep the Chancellor informed of developments in the University that may have strategic significance.
Ms Alison Watkins AM
Alison grew up on a farm in regional Tasmania. She attended Sorell Primary School and St Michael’s Collegiate in Hobart and studied at the University of Tasmania.
She is an experienced Chief Executive and Non-executive Director. She is a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Board, a non-executive director of CSL Limited, Wesfarmers Limited and PGA of Australia. She is also a director of the Geoff Ogilvy Foundation and the Centre for Independent Studies.
Alison’s previous roles include Group Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil, Chief Executive Officer of GrainCorp Limited and Berri Limited, and Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ. Alison spent 10 years at McKinsey & Company from 1989-1999 and became a partner of the firm in 1996 before moving to ANZ as Group General Manager Strategy. Alison has been a non-executive director of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Woolworths Limited and Just Group Limited.