National Blood Authority Chief Executive

The Hon Rebecca White MP - Media Release

The Australian Government has announced today the appointment of public health expert Adjunct Professor Adriana Platona PSM as the new Chief Executive of the National Blood Authority for the next four years commencing 27 September 2025. 

Currently a senior executive of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Adjunct Professor Platona brings significant technical expertise and leadership experience to her new role. She replaces Mr John Cahill who will retire following nine years in the position of Chief Executive and a career of outstanding public service. 

First appointed in 2016, Mr Cahill’s leadership of the NBA has strengthened and improved Australia’s self-sufficiency in blood and blood products to provide safe, secure access to all Australians. 

Prior to the NBA, Mr Cahill served as a senior executive in several federal government departments and agencies, leading major policy development and the delivery of complex infrastructure, biosecurity and health services across Australia and internationally. 

Adjunct Professor Platona will continue to build on the NBA’s success as a world-class organisation delivering the best possible outcomes for patients, clinicians and the community.  

The important work of the NBA is strongly connected to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Blood donations of all types are always needed, with 1 in 3 Australians needing blood in their lifetime. Blood donors save and improve lives every day and their valuable and precious contributions underpin Australia’s world class blood supply. 

Jointly funded by the Australian Government and Australia’s state and territory governments, the NBA employs approximately 90 staff members and manages a world-class blood supply worth more than $2 billion. 

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White: 

“I pay tribute to John Cahill’s extraordinary service at the helm of the NBA. He has played a key role in Australia’s sovereignty and self-sufficiency in blood and blood products, helping to improve and save lives for many Australians. 

“His 9 year tenure at the NBA builds on his highly successful and distinguished career serving the Australian public and on behalf of the Australian Government I thank him for his leadership. 

“I look forward to working closely with Adjunct Professor Platona, drawing on her significant technical expertise and sector-specific experience, to continue to strengthen the NBA. 

“Adjunct Professor Platona has a long-standing track record of success and her alignment with the NBA’s mission will enable her to build on its history of delivering a world-class blood supply and life-saving outcomes that meet the blood-related needs of all Australians.”