Meet Liz Nicol

Qualifications: MBA (Newcastle) Grad Dip OHS (Newcastle) FAICD FGIA

Why did you join the University Council?

Education is a great enabler. The University of Newcastle has a proud tradition of creating pathways to enable equitable access to education. I am excited to give back to the University of Newcastle and support this world class institution enable many to forge great futures for themselves.

What do you look back on most fondly when it comes to your own education?

Being enlivened to learn, developing lifelong skills in critical thinking and problem solving, being encouraged by passionate educators and creating lifelong friendships.

Biography

Liz is a non-executive director, with extensive governance, leadership, risk and organisational culture change expertise.

Liz has over 15 years’ experience as a non-executive director, with directorships that have crossed health, education, aged care, disability and community services. She is currently Deputy Chair of Uniting NSW.ACT and a non-executive director of Hunter New England Local Health District, chairing its Health Care Quality Committee.

Passionate about supporting the growth of leaders in the region Liz chairs the Northern NSW Regional Forum of the AICD and is a previous member of the University of Newcastle MBA Advisory Board. She also volunteers with Mentor Walks, mentoring women seeking to develop their careers.

An experienced CEO, Liz founded and co-owned SafetyWorks Group, a leading Australian Safety and Wellbeing Management Consultancy. She led the growth of the business over a 23 year period culminating in its sale in 2021.

Liz is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Governance Institute of Australia and holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Newcastle.