Breaking: USU Accepts Resignation of CEO Alexis Roitman

Ellie Stephenson reports.

The USU has accepted CEO Alexis Roitman’s resignation after six months in the role, marking the end of both her probationary period and her time with the organisation. 

Ms Roitman was appointed in November last year after previously working as the CEO of the Independent Brewers’ Association. She was preceded by interim CEO Alistair Cowie and former CEO Andrew Woodward, whose 10 year involvement with the USU ended in June 2019. 

The acting CEO will be Jessica Reed, who previously served as the USU’s Director of Commercial Operations. Further updates about the next CEO will be released over the next few months. 

Roitman’s time at the USU has been marked by unprecedented challenges facing the Union, with dramatic revenue loss arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. In an email sent this afternoon, President Connor Wherrett reassured staff that “the USU will go on as it has done for the last 147 years. We have an excellent management team which will lead by Jess in the interim [sic].”

When asked for comment about the reasons for Roitman’s resignation, President Wherrett said there would be no further comment at this stage.