Beau Tydd has been elected the next president of ACS (Australian Computer Society).
Tydd will take the position of ACS President in 2026 and 2027, after winning a vote by ACS Congress on Tuesday.
He will succeed Helen McHugh, who has served her two-year term as ACS President in 2024 and 2025.
Tydd said McHugh’s leadership had been “instrumental in driving ACS’s mission to support Australia’s technology professionals and to advocate for a thriving, responsible digital economy”.
“Her work has strengthened the organisation’s voice and influence across industry, government and education,” he said.
McHugh congratulated Tydd, and said it had been “an honour” to serve as ACS President.
“Engaging with members across the country and advocating for the issues that matter to them has been a privilege,” she said.
“I’m confident Beau will continue to champion the ACS mission, accelerating the growth of diverse and highly skilled tech professionals and equipping them with the skills, knowledge, networks and recognition needed to advance their careers and strengthen Australia’s tech future.”
ACS CEO Josh Griggs also congratulated Tydd, and said he would bring “a wealth of experience and a genuine commitment to growing Australia’s technology capability”.
“I look forward to working closely with Beau to continue strengthening ACS’s impact and advancing Australia’s technology profession,” Griggs said.
“I’d also like to thank Helen for her leadership, hard work, and dedication to ACS and Australia’s technology professionals over the past two years.”
Newly elected ACS President Beau Tydd [L] with outgoing President Helen McHugh [R]. Photo: Supplied
Tydd — a Fellow of ACS who has served as a Congressional representative for Queensland — has also worked as a professor of information technology at several Australian universities.
He has over 25 years’ experience in senior leadership, advisory, and consultancy roles in the technology sector in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, and has served on several ACS boards and committees.
Tydd said ACS had “a vital role” to play supporting ICT professionals as technology “reshapes every part of society”.
“I’m excited to build on Helen’s legacy and support Josh as we work with our members, partners, and policymakers to position Australia as a global technology leader,” he said.
As well as voting in a new president, Congress also elected Roger Clarke as Vice President, Membership Boards.
Roger Clarke was elected Vice President by ACS Congress. Photo: UNSW
Clarke is a consultant on advanced information technologies, and was made a Fellow of ACS in 1986.
He holds Honours and Masters degrees in Commerce (IS) from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and a PhD from the Australian National University (ANU).
Clarke has also served as a visiting professor in law at UNSW and a visiting professor in computer science at ANU.
In 2009 he was awarded only the second Australian Privacy Medal, after Justice Michael Kirby.
Rod Dilnutt continues in his role of Vice President Academic (Technical) Boards.
The role of Vice President for Communities Boards is currently vacant.
ACS is the publisher of Information Age.
