Anna Hughes to lead AOFM as CEO

Anna Hughes has been appointed chief executive of the Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM).

When she begins the role on 16 January 2023, she will be the first woman to lead the government debt management agency in its 23-year history.

Hughes had more than two decades of experience in the finance space. She previously held senior roles in the South Australian Government as Deputy Under Treasurer and CEO of South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA). She also spent 12 years at financial information and analytics agency S&P Global. 

“Hughes’ expertise and leadership will be invaluable for the AOFM in its important role in managing the Australian Government’s cash and debt portfolios,” said Treasurer Jim Chalmers in a statement.

She took on the new role from Rob Nicholl, who had been AOFM CEO for over 10 years and would now take up an executive director role at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

Chalmers stated: “Since joining the AOFM as CEO in 2011, Nicholl has shown exemplary leadership and provided advice to government during some of Australia’s most complex economic challenges.”

He noted that Hughes had “big shoes to fill” but that he expected her to do an “outstanding job.”

The AOFM was responsible for issuing debt securities on behalf of the Federal Government and managed the Government’s cash and debt portfolios. It also provided advice on a range of financial risks.