Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d)

Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 2005-2011 and a Board Member of the Lowy Institute.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d) was awarded the Knight of the Order of Australia in January 2015 for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to Australia, through distinguished service in the Australian Defence Force, continued commitment to serve the nation in leadership roles, particularly the national responses to the MH370 and MH17 disasters, and in a variety of roles in the community.

Sir Angus retired from the military in July 2011 after serving for 41 years.

In 2022, Sir Angus was appointed by the Australian Federal Government to co-lead the Australian Defence Strategic Review and he continues to oversee the implementation of the review.

Sir Angus is Chancellor for the University of the Sunshine Coast; Chair of the University of NSW Canberra Advisory Board; Chair of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and Chair of the Supashock Advanced Suspension Advisory Committee.

He is a Board Member for Australian Cancer Research Foundation and a visiting fellow of the Australian National University National Security College.

Sir Angus is also a Senior Counselor for The Cohen Group, a business advisory group headed by William Cohen, former Secretary of Defence in the United States.

Sir Angus served on the Virgin Australia Board from December 2018 until October 2020.

In July 2014, Sir Angus was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to lead Australia’s efforts to help recover, identify and repatriate Australians killed in the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster. Sir Angus also led the Joint Agency Coordination Centre coordinating the Australian Government’s support for the search into missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in 2014.

In 2012 Sir Angus was appointed Chair of the Order of Australia Council, a position he held for seven years.

In 2012 Sir Angus led the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers.

He was Chair of Air Services Australia from 2012-2018.

Sir Angus was also Chair of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board from July 2011 until March 2014.

In addition to his many board roles, he is also the Ambassador/Patron of numerous charitable and mental health organisations.

Sir Angus has been awarded four honorary doctorate degrees from the University of South Australia, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and Griffith University.