Powerhouse Parramatta CEO Lisa Havilah stands aside amid investigation

Lisa Havilah, the chief executive of Powerhouse Parramatta, has stood aside pending a New South Wales government investigation into governance and procurement practices. The leadership change occurs 72 days before the museum’s scheduled opening on November 7.

While no formal findings of wrongdoing have been announced, the investigation follows allegations regarding procurement and appointments. The department has described the matters as complex and involving multiple lines of inquiry. Havilah has not resigned or been dismissed; she is standing aside while the inquiry is finalized.

NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin has been appointed as interim chief executive, with former Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron serving as a strategic adviser. Despite the leadership transition, Powerhouse Trust president David Borger stated that the November 7 opening will proceed as planned. The museum is a major cultural investment, with recent reports noting significant spending on marketing and exhibit construction leading up to the launch.