Peggy O’Neal will be RMIT’s new chancellor from next year

A lawyer and business and community leader will replace Ziggy Switkowski as RMIT University’s chancellor from January.

Lawyer and business leader Peggy O'Neal has been appointed as RMIT University’s new chancellor, starting in 2022.

Lawyer and business leader Peggy O’Neal has been appointed chancellor of RMIT University, starting in January. She will replace Ziggy Switkowski, who steps down at the end of the month. Deputy chancellor Janet Latchford is acting in the role during the interim.

In making the announcement the university’s council noted Ms O’Neal’s extensive business experience, which was “equalled by her commitment to justice, equality and opportunity”.

Ms O’Neal said she was looking forward to working with incoming vice-chancellor Alec Cameron, leadership and other staff as she accepted “a terrific opportunity and responsibility”.

“As a first in family university graduate, education has been life-changing for me and I look forward to contributing to RMIT in the years ahead as, like all of Australia, it moves to reinvigorate our communities in a post-pandemic environment,” Ms O’Neal said.

Ms O’Neal has many community and business commitments. Among them are her roles as chair of Vanguard Superannuation, a consultant to superannuation and financial services law specialist Lander & Rogers and president of Richmond Football Club. She also sits on the board of Women’s Housing Ltd and Dementia Australia Network.

She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Swinburne University and in 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.