Blockchain Australia today announced the appointment of Simon Callaghan as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Simon has spent his career within innovative technologies, including working in the blockchain industry in Australia, the US, UK, Asia, LATAM and Europe. Simon is the co-founder of middle office start-up, MOOPS Tech, and joins Blockchain Australia after most recently leading the Digital Assets Programme at the University of Cambridge.
“I am thrilled to be joining Blockchain Australia,” says Simon. “I am very keen to see the technology and use cases continue to grow locally, and for Australia to position itself strongly in a highly competitive global market. I look forward to working with our members, and the Australian government, to ensure the Australian people and economy benefit from this technology in a similar fashion to Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, and the UK.”
Michael Bacina, Chair of Blockchain Australia, says that Simon’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the industry as it steers a course for growth in Australia.
“Blockchain Australia serves a key role as the leading advocacy group for blockchain and Web3 in Australia,” he says. “At this critical time for the industry we are excited to have Simon join us and lead the organisation as we focus on protecting customers, reducing scams, and harnessing the power of this technology for jobs and growth in Australia.”
Adds Simon: “Blockchain Australia is vital in leading a coordinated effort on behalf of Australia's digital economy businesses. It is imperative that we work with the government to fully understand the benefits and challenges in this space, in order to best position Australia globally for job creation and future growth.”
Simon hopes to lead a coordinated approach to the government to ensure a balanced understanding of the digital economy and the opportunities it presents to both members and the national workforce.
“I want to see our members prosper domestically and internationally, and to leverage my global experience to provide leadership to ensure our government forms a balanced approach to the innovation and economic benefits that blockchain technology can provide Australia, whilst managing consumer risk,” explains Simon.
“Given the growing national technology skills shortage, it is important that Australia leverages its history of innovation, to take the right approach with blockchain technology, so our economy is not left behind by our global partners and competitors.
Key Facts:
- Blockchain Australia today announced the appointment of Simon Callaghan as the new Chief Executive Officer.
- Simon's appointment comes at a crucial time for the industry as it steers a course for growth in Australia.
- Simon hopes to lead a coordinated approach to the government to ensure a balanced understanding of the digital economy and the opportunities it presents to both members and the national workforce.
About us:
About Blockchain Australia
Blockchain Australia’s mission is to encourage the responsible adoption of blockchain technology by industry and government across Australia as a means to drive innovation in service delivery across all sectors of the economy.
As Australia’s peak industry network, Blockchain Australia envisions Australia as a leading economic hub for the development and proliferation of blockchain and distributed ledger technology in business on an internationally competitive scale. The organisation will shape the business environment through industry collaboration and alignment, and be a contributing voice to the attentive design of a fit-for-purpose regulatory environment.
Contact details:
Amy-Rose Goodey, Head of Operations at Blockchain Australia