Speakers

Dr Paul Grimes brings diverse public sector experience to his role as the Chief Executive Officer of Austrade, spanning senior appointments across state, territory and federal levels of government.

In addition to previously serving as Secretary of the NSW Department of Treasury, and NSW Coordinator-General for Environment, Energy and Science, he is a former Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, and Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture.

Earlier, Dr Grimes was Associate Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Deputy Secretary (Budget Group) in the Australian Department of Finance. He has also served as Chief Executive of the ACT Department of Treasury and as Deputy Under Treasurer (Deputy Secretary) in the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance. Before joining the South Australian public service, he led the Budget Policy Division in the Australian Treasury.

Dr Grimes is a former Chair of the NSW Net Zero Commission and National Archives of Australia Advisory Council. He has served on numerous boards, most recently as Deputy Chair of the NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp), as a member of the Infrastructure NSW Board, and the Greater Cities Commission.

In 2010, Dr Grimes was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal. He holds PhD and Masters degrees in economics from the Australian National University.