Inaugural Chief Executive of Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency appointed
The Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency has welcomed Mr Brendan Cox as its inaugural Chief Executive. Brendan brings more than 3 decades of experience across Defence, the private sector and the ex‑service organisation community.
He enlisted in the Australian Army in 1988 and served for 28 years, including deployments to Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan. Brendan’s military career included command, training and staff roles, culminating in senior leadership appointments.
After medically transitioning from Defence, he moved into the private sector before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Brisbane in 2016. In this role, Brendan led support for veteran families and strengthened community connections, aligning closely with Legacy’s mission to honour the service and sacrifice of Australia’s veterans.
‘The Agency has an important role to play in simplifying how veterans and the families of veterans access wellbeing support,’ Mr Cox said.
‘I’m excited to lead this work and help build a wellbeing system that continues to evolve with the needs of veterans and families.
‘What isn't well defined is the pathway to support, and the Agency has a critical role to play in changing that. Our measure of success for me will be when families are telling us that their transition was smooth and well supported. The biggest metric is a veteran or family saying “That was actually a really good transition, and I am contributing to my community as a result” – that’s what is really important.’
A Churchill Trust Fellow, Brendan has undertaken significant research into improving support for families of veterans experiencing physical and psychological injury. His work has focused on international best practice and reinforces the importance of a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring veterans and families of veterans can access the support they need without barriers.
As a veteran and a father, Brendan is deeply committed to improving wellbeing outcomes for those who serve and the families who support them. He recognises that when a person joins the ADF, their family also shares in that service.
As Chief Executive, Brendan is leading the evolution of the Agency and driving a more connected, holistic model of care. A key priority is making it easier for veterans and families of veterans to find information and access services, including through stronger links with existing supports such as the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs.