Welcoming new Board members

November 26, 2020

Copyright Agency Chair Kim Williams has used today’s annual general meeting to welcome Arthur Baker, Kirsty Murray and Richard Eccles to the Board.

“I’m delighted to welcome Arthur, Kirsty and Richard to the Copyright Agency Board,” said Mr Williams. “As an Australian Publishers Association-appointed director, Arthur Baker will be replacing David Barnett. Arthur is the managing director at Oxford University Press Australia, a major publisher, and brings a wealth of publishing knowledge and expertise to the board.”

Arthur has worked in educational publishing for 27 years, having commenced his career in January 1994 as a Secondary sales representative at Pearson. As managing director for OUP ANZ & Pacific, Arthur supports a broad-based business with units focused on primary, secondary, higher education, ELT and trade publishing.

“Kirsty Murray has been appointed by the Australian Society of Authors and will be replacing Helen O’Neill. She is currently a director on the board of the Australian Society of Authors and an advocate for readers and writers of all ages,” said Mr Williams.

Kirsty is a multi-award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults. Her work is published internationally and includes 11 novels as well as non-fiction, junior fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction and picture books.

“The board is delighted to confirm that Richard Eccles was appointed as one of our four independent directors back in September. Richard joined with a long and distinguished career in the public service and not-for-profit sectors, most recently as deputy secretary in what was the Department of Communications and the Arts.”

Until March 2020, Richard enjoyed a successful career as a senior Commonwealth public servant, holding deputy secretary positions for 10 years across several portfolios, including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Health and Aged Care; and Communications and the Arts. His career highlights include world-leading reforms in cyber safety; driving reforms in the Australian media landscape; leading major reforms in copyright and arts policies in support of Australian creators; and leading social and economic reforms in Indigenous Affairs.

“I would like to thank our departing board members, David and Helen, for their generous and expert contribution to the Copyright Agency over an extended period,” added Mr Williams. “Both have worked tirelessly on a number of committees with a commitment to advocacy and a focus on making a genuine and substantial contribution to the Copyright Agency and its members.”

Media enquiries

Kate Pasterfield
Director, Corporate Affairs
e: kpasterfield@copyright.com.au
m: 0437 965 071

About the Copyright Agency

The not-for-profit Copyright Agency connects users and creators of content, providing licences for the use of copyright material such as text, images, art and survey plans. We manage the educational and government licences for the use of text and images, as well as the resale royalty scheme for artists (by Government appointment). Our members include writers, artists, surveyors and publishers. Membership is free.

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