ACS chief executive departs, former president appointed interim leader

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has changed leadership, with the previous chief executive, Josh Griggs, departing immediately and Dr Prins Ralston stepping in as an interim appointment.

Ralston is a Fellow and former president of the Society, first joining in 1989, who has worked as a senior consultant for Directioneering, an Australian provider of career management services, since November of last year, as well as serving as an Adjunct Professor of Business, Law and Governance at  James Cook University since 2024.

He also served as CEO for Townsville City Council for four years, was the principal at  employee management consulting firm Nous and deputy group CEO for APM, an allied health and NDIS business, in addition to a number of non-executive director roles.

ACS president Beau Tydd said Ralston’s long association with the society and executive experience meant he is “exceptionally well-placed to lead the organisation".

Ralston said as a former president of the organisation, he has deep respect for what the ACS stands for and a clear-eyed appreciation of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

"Artificial intelligence is reshaping every dimension of how we work, how businesses operate, and how IT professionals create value. My focus will be on ensuring that the ACS is positioned to lead that conversation — for our members, for industry, and for the nation," he said.

The ACS did not state how long Ralston’s interim appointment will run for, or whether there is a search on for someone to fill the chief executive role on a permanent basis.

The ACS recently received an Australian Government grant of $1.9 million to co-design and pilot a voluntary national Cyber Security Professionalisation Scheme.