Change of leadership for ACSL Board – ACSL farewells outgoing Chair Professor the Honourable Michael Lavarch and welcomes incoming Chair Mr David Penny

Farewell to our inaugural Board Chair, Professor the Honourable Michael Lavarch AO

ACSL this week bids a fond farewell to our departing Chair Professor the Hon Michael Lavarch AO, whose term as board Chair has now expired as of ACSL’s Annual General Meeting on 17 April 2024.

On behalf of ACSL’s board and staff, we would like to also thank Michael for his leadership of ACSL, especially through the transition from CPSL and the changed environment to our work brought about through COVID.

Michael was one of the inaugural board members of CPSL and in 2020 stepped up to become the inaugural Chair of ACSL. Michael’s perseverance during his term as Chair has resulted in several significant outcomes, not the least of which are a national set of safeguarding standards for the Church, a rigorous and transparent auditing system for Church entities, and a strong complaint mechanism for Church leaders.

Michael’s ability to work in harmony with the Members of the company, including during times of difference of perspective, and his spirit of collegiality among his fellow board directors has been greatly appreciated by all who have worked with Michael during his term as Chair.
We thank Michael sincerely for his contribution, which has meant that today, children, vulnerable people and all those who come into contact with the Church are safer and at less risk of abuse of all kinds.

We wish Michael well as he continues his journey.

Congratulations to our new Board Chair, Mr David Penny 

We are pleased to announce Mr David Penny as ACSL’s new Board Chair. David has served on the Board of ACSL since the company’s inception in December 2020. Having served in a variety of Church leadership roles, and with understanding across various structures in the Church through his previous roles within dioceses, Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (MPJPs) and within religious institutes, ACSL is grateful to have David lead the Board into ACSL’s next chapter.