Tech Council boss to step down

Tech Council of Australia chief executive Damian Kassabgi is to step down after only 16 months leading the lobby organisation.

The former Afterpay executive’s decision follows concerns raised by some members about his low profile and Kassabgi expressing a desire to spend more time at home with his young family in Byron Bay.

Kassabgi was selected to take over leadership of the Tech Council in June last year after inaugural chief executive Kate Pounder stepped down. Kassabgi had worked in the US in public policy roles for tech companies including Google and Uber before joining Afterpay. His stake in the company provided him with a large return when Afterpay was acquired by US company Block (now Square) for $39 billion in 2021. He also worked as a technology adviser to former Labor prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.

The Tech Council lobbies government for the tech sector representing global big tech companies such as Microsoft, Google and Adobe as well as Australian-founded businesses such as Canva and WiseTech Global (ASX: WTC) along with smaller technology companies. The council also represents technology investors including venture capital firms Airtree Ventures, Blackbird Ventures and Square Peg Capital. The chair of the Tech Council is Atlassian chief executive and co-founder Scott Farquhar.

Kassabgi is to continue to lead the Tech Council until a replacement is found.  

Image: Tech Council of Australia chief executive Damian Kassabgi.