Biographical
Details - Mr Ric Wells
Deputy Secretary
Mr Wells was appointed Deputy Secretary on 1 June 2009 and, concurrently from 9 July 2009, Ambassador for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.
From April 2005, Mr Wells was Head of the China Free Trade Agreement Task Force and, later, concurrently Head of the Japan Free Trade Agreement Task Force and Korea Free Trade Agreement Task Force.
From 2003-2005, Mr Wells was First Assistant Secretary, South Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division, and in 2002 he headed the White Paper Task Force.
Between 2000 and 2002, Mr Wells was Assistant Secretary, Asia, Americas and Trade Branch, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Previous experience in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade included assignments as Assistant Secretary, Trade Policy and Industrials Branch (1999), Deputy Head of the Australian Mission to the WTO in Geneva (1995-1999), and Assistant Secretary, Services and Intellectual Property Branch (1994-1995).
Mr Wells has also had postings to Cairo (1980-1985) and Jakarta (1987-1989).
July 2009