Dr Ian Fitzgerald

Biography

Dr Ian Fitzgerald is a Professor of Practice with the QUT Graduate School of Business. His leadership and reform experience over 30 years crosses the public and private sectors. He was first appointed to a First Assistant Secretary level position in 2011 and has worked for several APS agencies including the Australian Public Service Commission, Services Australia, the Digital Health Agency and the Department of Education. His initial career included criminal justice operational and policy leadership roles in Australia and the UK. He was also a senior manager with Westpac for seven years. Ian has a strong client focus combined with an analytical background, with science, business and governance qualifications.


His main area of academic research is psychology, particularly in areas relating to political motives and leadership traits and links to performance – knowledge relevant to any workplace. He is writing a book on the political history of Australia since Federation told through election speeches, and another on the history of the Australian Public Service since its inception. His PhD is in political psychology and leadership. He has a BSc from ANU and an MBA from MGSM. He continues to be involved in criminal justice and is on the board of ACT Region Crime Stoppers. Socially, he's in the Australian Rugby Choir. Ian is an accredited executive coach, Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.