Following a lengthy and extensive recruitment process SLSA President Graham Ford AM today announced that the Board of Surf Life Saving Australia have appointed Adam Weir as Chief Executive Officer.
“On behalf of the SLSA Board I am delighted to be able to announce the appointment of Adam to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Adam is a life-long member of Surf Life Saving and brings to the role extensive experience across all facets of the movement, including a representative career on the Australian Life Saving Team and many roles across coastal safety and lifesaving.
Adam has shown exemplary leadership skills and has a collaborative approach in managing and working with people. I look forward to working with him as does the rest of the SLSA team to ensure future sustainability of the movement.” said Graham Ford AM, President SLSA.
Adam started out as an 8-year-old nipper at Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club where he has been a member since 1983. During the late 80’s and 90’s he was a successful competitor at all levels of surf sport competition, winning 11 Australian Championships and multiple world championships over a competitive career spanning a decade. He was a member of the Australian Surf Life Saving Team from 1992 through to 1998, finishing his representative career as Captain of the Australian Team in 1998. Adam was also a recipient of the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
Throughout Adam’s professional involvement in Surf Life Saving, at both SLSA and SLSNSW, he has been a passionate advocate for coastal safety and drowning prevention both within Australian and Internationally. His innovative approach to applied risk management in guiding drowning prevention strategies underpin many significant strategic initiatives that have been delivered in recent years.
Adam is an asset to the organisation with his strong knowledge of the movement across all areas, risk management expertise, excellent stakeholder relationship skills, solid financial and business management, innovative approach and a background in ICT.
Since December 2017, Adam has been in the role of Chief Operating Officer at SLSA responsible for the Corporate Services and Capacity & Capability portfolios. Adam has also played a key role in the management of the organisations ICT Upgrade Project, ensuring that the organisation’s ICT infrastructure is sustainable, up to date and fit for purpose.
“Surf Life Saving has been such a huge part of my life, both as a member and as an employee. I am truly grateful to the Board for the confidence they have shown in me by appointing me to this role. Surf Life Saving in Australia has great tradition and heritage as one of the most iconic and recognisable organisations in the country. I have great respect for all those who have contributed to making the organisation what it is and I am very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Surf Life Saving in the next few years.”
Adam said that he has been lucky to have had guidance throughout his career from some great surf lifesavers and is extremely grateful for the support they have provided him.
“It is important that we are united as an organisation at every level, club, branch, state and national, for if we are to make the most of what the future has to offer we have to do it together.”
“Ultimately, we are all here to try to make it easier for members to do what they love doing, they are the most important people in the organisation.”
Adam will commence in the role immediately.