ABC Managing Director David Anderson today announced the appointment of Dharmendra (Dharma) Chandran to the role of ABC Chief People Officer.
Dharma joins the ABC with a broad range of experience in senior human resources, strategy, legal and corporate communications roles as a consultant, corporate executive and non-executive director across Australia, Asia and the Middle East.
David Anderson, ABC Managing Director, said: “I am pleased to welcome Dharma to the ABC to lead the People & Culture division in helping our hard-working employees continue to deliver outstanding content and services to all Australians.
“Dharma’s substantial human resources expertise will be invaluable to the national public broadcaster, particularly as we emerge from the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ABC’s workforce is its most important asset and Dharma will play a key role in supporting and advising our people.”
Dharma said: “I am privileged and honoured to be appointed to this role within the ABC, an organisation I have admired for a long time. I am looking forward to working with all of my new colleagues and to making a significant contribution to our future success.”
Dharma’s previous roles include Partner of Boyden Australia’s Leadership Consulting Practice, Partner in Charge of KPMG Australia’s People Advisory Practice, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young’s Far East Area Performance & Reward Practice (based in Hong Kong), Leader of Towers Perrin’s Asia-Pacific Financial Services Practice (based in Singapore) and Leader of Hewitt Associates’ Asia-Pacific M&A Practice (based in Kuala Lumpur).
He has also held permanent and interim senior executive roles at McKinsey & Co, Westpac, Suncorp, Leighton Holdings, GFG Alliance and Emaar (based in Dubai).
Dharma has been a member of the Advisory Board or Panel for several NSW Government institutions, including iCare NSW and Service NSW. He has served on the Board of Mortgage Choice as a Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Dharma will commence at the ABC on 11 October.
David Anderson also thanked Monica Vagg for acting in the role of Chief People Officer since January.
“Monica has done an outstanding job, notably through the ongoing changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there have been many other initiatives during this year,” Mr Anderson said.
“Monica’s dedication and commitment to the public broadcaster have been recognised by all at the ABC, especially me. I thank Monica for her outstanding service and look forward to continuing to work with her.”
