THE Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner and CEO Greg Hood has retired, effective Wednesday 30 June, after completing his five-year term.
The ATSB said Mr Hood drove an innovation and transformation agenda at the organisation that saw the introduction of practices such as a multi-modal-teams approach to investigations, new recruitment practices, a tertiary partnership with RMIT University and new technologies to support investigations such as remotely piloted aircraft and 3D modelling.
During his tenure, Mr Hood, with the other members of the ATSB Commission, approved more than 530 aviation, rail and maritime investigation reports for public release to improve transport safety for all Australians.
Also, under Mr Hood’s leadership, the ATSB developed a strategic property plan that included the establishment of a Melbourne office and increases in staffing in the agency’s Brisbane and Perth offices. The plan also introduced a replacement program for all enterprise IT systems, including the procurement of a new investigation information management system.
Mr Hood also served a two-year term as chair of the International Transportation Safety Association, the network of the heads of 18 independent transport safety investigation authorities, at a time when the world was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and when safe and efficient transport networks were needed like never before.
He also oversaw a partnership agreement with the Defence Flight Safety Bureau to align accident investigator skillsets and to participate in each other’s investigation activities, and further strengthened the ATSB’s close working relationships with New South Wales’ Office of Transport Safety Investigations and Victoria’s Chief Investigator, Transport Safety.
The ATSB Commission thanked Greg Hood for his service and wished him the very best for his well-earned retirement.
ATSB chief operating officer Colin McNamara will act as chief commissioner and chief executive officer pending the appointment of Mr Hood’s successor.
