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ACU appoints new Chief Financial Officer

Mr Petrus Swemmer has been appointed Australian Catholic University’s new Chief Financial Officer.

Mr Swemmer will join ACU in November from the University of Sydney where he is currently Director of Finance for the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Campus Operations Services, University Infrastructure and University Capital. He brings 14 years of senior leadership experience in the higher education sector.

At the University of Sydney, Mr Swemmer has provided financial stewardship for the successful merger of five health faculties into a single Faculty of Medicine and Health and co-developed a Business Partnering Program with the Business School.

Before joining the University of Sydney, Mr Swemmer was Group Commercial Director and Group Financial Controller for global education company StudyGroup. He was responsible for executing commercial strategy, enhancing decision support and enterprise reporting for executive teams, boards, and private equity owners. Earlier in his career he spent 13 years with Unilever, where he gained extensive experience in business turnaround, mergers and acquisitions, product and business category launches, large system implementations and financial controllership.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate) and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Woods said he was delighted to welcome Mr Swemmer to the university.

“As we continue to advance towards ACU’s Vision 2033, Mr Swemmer’s experience will be invaluable,” Mr Woods said.

“His appointment is an opportunity to continue the strengthening of finance and planning as a collaborative enabler, working alongside colleagues across the university to provide the insight, solutions and stewardship that will support us in delivering our long-term business plan with clarity and confidence.”

Mr Swemmer said he was honoured to join the ACU team and excited to continue making a positive contribution to the higher education sector.

“The mission of ACU resonates deeply with me, and the values of truth, excellence and service strongly align with my own values and how I seek to express them in the workplace, family, and broader community,” he said.

Mr Swemmer holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours and Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Stellenbosch. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), and an Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA). 

He and his family are based in Sydney and he will take up his new role on 24 November at ACU’s North Sydney Campus.