The Australian Industry Group National Executive meeting in Canberra today has appointed Innes Willox as the organisation's new Chief Executive.

Mr Willox succeeds Heather Ridout in this important industry leadership role. His appointment is effective from 1 May.

Ai Group National President Lucio Di Bartolomeo said: "Mr Willox is a highly regarded member of Ai Group's leadership team and has had a key role in the organisation's policy development and advocacy work. We have great confidence in his ability to continue to grow the organisation in the years ahead.

"In making the appointment, the National Executive recognised Mr Willox's considerable achievements in his current role as Director International and Government Relations, a position he has held since joining Ai Group in 2008. It noted Mr Willox's strong background in senior roles in the private and public sectors both in Australia and internationally," Mr Di Bartolomeo said (see bio below).

Mr Willox said: "It is a great honour to be appointed as Chief Executive of an association with such a long and successful history of representing the interests of Australian industry. The organisation has been superbly led to become the most influential business representative group in the country. I will lead a well-established, talented and committed team focused on serving our members' interests.

"I will continue to strongly advocate policies that support the growth of industry in Australia while maintaining Ai Group's deeply held non-partisan values. This is a challenging time for industry and getting the productivity boosting policies right across the economy, including on workplace relations, skills, innovation, energy and taxation is fundamental to Australia's prosperity," Mr Willox said.

Mr Di Bartolomeo said: "Mr Willox already represents the interests of Australian industry on a number of key bodies including the Board of Innovation Australia and the Defence Industry Innovation Board.

"He is also Executive Director of the Ai Group Defence Council and Chairman of the Trade Remedies Task Force. Through his work on developing and advocating procurement policies that give Australian based businesses a fair go, he has been a forceful advocate for Australian manufacturing.

"In making the appointment, the National Executive noted the huge contribution outgoing Chief Executive, Heather Ridout, has made to Ai Group and its members, to Australian business and to the community.

"There has been no greater advocate for Australian Industry than Heather Ridout. She has devoted 33 years to Ai Group and leaves the organisation in great shape both financially and operationally. She leaves with enormous goodwill and our sincere thanks," Mr Di Bartolomeo said.

Mrs Ridout's five year appointment to the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia commenced on 14 February. She will continue to represent Ai Group on a number of important external bodies including Skills Australia and the AustralianSuper Trustee Board. She is also a Director of Sims Metal Management.

Mrs Ridout said: "I leave Ai Group in good shape and in good hands. I have been fortunate to have been part of Ai Group for such a long period of time but even more so over the past eight years as Chief Executive. It is an extraordinary organisation full of wonderful people, supported by great representatives of Australian business and industry and underpinned by an immensely loyal membership. I have no doubt that the organisation has a great future and I have every confidence it will go from success to success."