Our key staff

Helen Silver

Secretary

As Secretary of DPC, Helen Silver leads the department, and the Victorian Public Service more generally, in advising the Premier and the government of Victoria.

She also chairs the State Coordination and Management Council, the main coordinating body of the Victorian Public Service.

Helen has had a long career in the public sector. She was First Assistant Commissioner of the Commonwealth Government's Productivity Commission 1993–1999, then Executive Director, Rehabilitation and Compensation for Victoria's WorkCover Authority 1999–2002. She held Deputy Secretary positions in the Department of Treasury and Finance and Department of Premier and Cabinet from 2002–2006.

Prior to rejoining the Department of Premier and Cabinet in 2008, Helen was General Manager, Government Business, Business and Private Banking for the National Australia Bank. Her role was to manage and build NAB's government banking business across Australia. She also sat on the Business and Private Banking Executive.

Helen Silver holds a Masters degree in Economics from Monash University, is a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, a Director on the Grattan Institute Board and Acting Chair of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.

Email: helen.silver@dpc.vic.gov.au

Dr Pradeep Philip

Deputy Secretary, Policy and Cabinet Group

Dr Pradeep Philip leads the Victorian government's Cabinet and policy coordination processes and manages policy advice to the Premier.

Pradeep has extensive experience in both state and federal government, including as Director of Policy in the Prime Minister's Office and as Associate Director-General in the Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet. Pradeep first joined government as an economist with the federal Department of the Treasury, having been a tutor and lecturer at the University of Queensland, Griffith University and the Australian National University.

Email: pradeep.philip@dpc.vic.gov.au

Donald Speagle

Deputy Secretary, Federalism, Citizenship and Climate Change Group

Donald Speagle was appointed Deputy Secretary in May 2009, after three years as Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

Donald has previously had a number of other senior roles in the department, including as Director, Policy and Strategy Projects. He has also worked in the Department of Justice. Before joining the Victorian Public Service, Donald was a commercial lawyer at the firm now known as Allens Arthur Robinson.

Email: donald.speagle@dpc.vic.gov.au

Penny Hutchinson

Director, Arts Victoria

Penny Hutchinson became Director of Arts Victoria in November 2000, leaving a partnership at BDO Nelson Parkhill. She had previously worked at the Department of Management and Budget and the National Companies and Securities Commission.

Penny has been on a number of government boards, including Medibank Private, Federal Airports Corporation, Victorian College of the Arts and the Australian String Quartet. From March to September 2006, Penny was Acting Deputy Secretary, Sector Improvement Group (now Government and Corporate Group) within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Email: penny.hutchinson@dpc.vic.gov.au