AIMS CEO to step down from role after six years

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Dr Paul Hardisty will leave the organisation on 30 July 2023.

Dr Hardisty joined AIMS in June 2017 as CEO and departs the institute to re-commence his literary career.

During that time Dr Hardisty has successfully led the nation’s tropical marine research agency through a period of significant transformation.  He leaves behind a legacy of innovation, science excellence, and strategic vision that has provided AIMS with financial certainty for the coming decade and positions the organisation for continued success well into the future.

AIMS Council Chair Dr Beth Woods expressed gratitude for Dr Hardisty’s outstanding leadership and contribution to placing Australia at the forefront of global coral reef science.

“We are incredibly grateful to Paul for the energy, passion and vision that he has dedicated to AIMS these past six years. We wish him the absolute best in all his future plans and endeavours”, she said.

“Under his forward-thinking leadership AIMS doubled in size, doubled its external revenue, significantly improved safety, commenced the $36.3 million SeaSim expansion, emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic relatively unscathed, won funding to design AIMS’ next-generation of research vessel, and most recently secured $163.4 million over the next four years with a total of $424.3 million in Government funding over the next decade to safeguard AIMS’ ability to deliver impact for the nation over the next decade.”

During Dr Hardisty’s tenure, AIMS, among other accomplishments:

• initiated a comprehensive program of meaningful partnerships with Traditional Owners of sea Country in northern Australia;
• introduced a range of marine monitoring technologies into AIMS;
• undertook several iconic projects at a size never undertaken at AIMS before including the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program – the biggest single effort anywhere in the world to protect coral reefs from climate change;
• developed and implemented an institute-wide leadership development program, now in its fourth year;
• undertook the first real-world seismic experiments to determine the effects of marine noise on fish and oysters; and
• developed new science programs in blue carbon and offshore decommissioning.

These accomplishments were guided by Dr Hardisty through the AIMS Strategy 2025.

"It has been my great honour to lead this amazing organisation over the last six years,’Dr Hardisty said. ‘Whatever we have accomplished, we have done as a team, all of us, together."

Mr Basil Ahyick, AIMS Chief Finance Officer and Corporate Services Manager, will assume the responsibilities of Acting CEO in the short term.

The AIMS Council is progressing a comprehensive global search to identify a successor to assume the role of CEO.

“The strength of the AIMS leadership team, working together with Mr Ahyick as the acting CEO, will ensure a smooth transition to ensure AIMS remains focused on its mission and continues to deliver exceptional science for the nation,” Dr Woods said.