Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d)
Senior Counselor
Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK AFC (Retd) was awarded the Knight of the Order of Australia in January 2015 for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to Australia, through distinguished service in the Australian Defence Force, continued commitment to serve the nation in leadership roles, particularly the national responses to the MH370 and MH17 disasters, and in a variety of roles in the community.
Sir Angus was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 2005–2011. He served as Chief of the Australian Air Force from 2001-2005. He retired from the military in 2011 after 41 years of service. In 2022, Sir Angus was appointed by the Australian Federal Government to co-lead the Australian Defence Strategic Review.
In 2014, Sir Angus was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to lead Australia’s efforts to help recover, identify and repatriate Australians killed in the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster. Sir Angus also led the Joint Agency Coordination Centre coordinating the Australian Government’s support for the search into missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in 2014.
Along with his role as Senior Counselor for The Cohen Group, Sir Angus is Chancellor for the University of the Sunshine Coast, Chair of the University of NSW Canberra Advisory Board, Chair of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and Chair of the Supashock Advanced Suspension Advisory Committee.
Sir Angus serves as a Board Member of the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and as a visiting fellow of the Australian National University National Security College. Additionally, he served on the Virgin Australia Board from 2018-2020. He was Chair of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board from 2011–2014 and was Chair of Air Services Australia from 2012–2018.
In addition to his many board roles, he is the Ambassador/Patron of numerous charitable organizations, including several focused on mental health access and care. In 2012, Sir Angus led the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers. In 2011, he was named the Australian Father of the Year and in 2012, the Australian Capital Territory Australian of the Year.
Sir Angus was awarded the Degree of Doctor of the University of South Australia in August 2017, Degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa from ANU in December 2016, Degree of Doctor of the University, honoris causa from UNSW in November 2015, and Degree of Doctor of the University from Griffith University in December 2013.
Sir Angus is married to Liz, and they have three sons and three grandchildren.