Future Skills Organisation (FSO) has appointed David Masters as Chair of the Board, succeeding Yasmin Allen AM from 28 April 2026. 

David has served as an Independent Director since FSO’s establishment in 2023 and was a founding board member of its predecessor, the Digital Skills Organisation (DSO). 

He brings deep experience working with governments and industry on how fast-moving technologies are reshaping economies and work, having held senior public affairs roles at Atlassian, HP and Microsoft. He is also a board member of the Tech Policy Design Institute. 

“I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair,” said David. “We will stay focused on what matters most to employers, learners and training providers: creating simpler, clearer learning pathways; building stronger digital capability across the nation; and developing qualifications that reflect where Australia’s needs are heading. 

“The most pressing challenge facing the system, and where FSO can make the greatest impact, is ensuring that Australian employers and workers are best-placed to capture the benefits of AI. AI is already transforming jobs and industries, yet the skills response remains uneven and fragmented. The next phase will require focus, urgency and a willingness to move faster than traditional approaches allow,” he added. 

“On behalf of the Board, I thank Yasmin for her exceptional service,” said David. Under Yasmin’s leadership, substantial reform work is underway across 23 recognised, grant-funded activities, while FSO’s reach and influence have grown significantly. 

“Since 2023, our collaborator network has expanded from 300 to more than 3,700. Membership has grown from 30 to 85 organisations, supported by over 2,600 active stakeholders. 

“The trust placed in FSO, including the Government’s decision to ask FSO to deliver the National AI Skills Report, reflects the credibility the organisation has earned across industry, education and government during her tenure. 

“In addition, the FSO Skills Accelerator-AI, with founding partner Microsoft, has brought together over 700 experts and organisations to share knowledge and build real capability in a remarkably short time. 

“It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when industry, education and government align around a shared purpose,” he added. 

Yasmin said: “Over the past six years, through DSO and FSO, we have learned what it takes to drive change in a complex and highly regulated system.  

“There are no simple answers in this space. What does exist, however, is extraordinary talent, commitment and goodwill across industry, education and government. I am proud that FSO has taken the time to listen carefully to industry, focus on what matters most, and earn the trust required to operate at a national level,” she said. 

“My sincere thanks to the Board and the FSO team for their dedication and sense of purpose, and to David Masters, who is absolutely the right person to lead the organisation through its next phase. 

“Under his leadership, I am confident that FSO will continue to grow its impact and play a defining role in building Australia’s future workforce. The work it does is challenging and long-term, and it matters deeply,” she added. 

Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, Chief Executive Officer, FSO, said: “I thank Yasmin for her outstanding leadership and support. Under her guidance, FSO went from a standing start to standing apart as a confident, capable national organisation that connects national policy, employer demand and the training system through practical programs of work. 

“I’ve greatly valued her counsel and look forward to working closely with David as Chair.”