We welcome Old Melburnians in Melbourne to join the conversation and networking function in person at Melbourne Grammar School. Old Melburnians outside Melbourne are invited to join the conversation component of this event live online.
In conversation with Nik Devidas (OM 1997), Charlie will take you through his journey from Melbourne Grammar School to Oxford University where he studied jet engine design as a Rhodes Scholar, and back to Melbourne where he has worked at the interface between research and business for institutions such as the University of Melbourne, and as CEO of the Office of Innovation and Science Australia.
More about Dr. Charlie Day
Charlie’s passion is leading, investing in and working with teams who are pushing back the boundaries of the possible through innovation, scientific research and commercialisation. He has over 20 years’ experience working in this area in commercial, academic, and policy settings, and has been invited to speak at conferences on these topics in North America, Europe and Asia.
In 2021 Charlie became founding CEO of the Monash University early-stage spinout Jupiter Ionics Pty Ltd, which is developing a new technology for electrochemical production of Green Ammonia. He also works with a range of early-stage ventures and investors in other advanced technology sectors, including serving on the board of the ANDHealth digital health accelerator, and as a mentor and investor at Moonshot Space Accelerator. He also supports the broader innovation ecosystem through roles on the AICD’s Governance of Innovation and Technology Panel and the MCRI’s GenV Strategic Partnerships Advisory Committee.
Until early 2020 Charlie was the inaugural permanent CEO of the Office of Innovation and Science Australia (OISA), which supports the ISA board (since renamed to IISA). IISA is an independent statutory board of science and innovation practitioners established by the Australian Government with a mandate to provide strategic advice, program oversight, and public advocacy for Australia’s science and innovation system. As part of this role Charlie led the production of a major roadmap for Australian innovation policy, Australia 2030: Prosperity through Innovation.
Prior to that Charlie spent 15 years at the University of Melbourne in a range of roles at the interface between research and business, in addition to several years in strategic and management consulting. Charlie has a degree in Classics and an honours degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Melbourne, along with a doctorate in jet engine design from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and their two sons.