Blair is the Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The portfolio has responsibility for stewardship of Australia’s health, disability and aged care systems and integrating aspects of the care economy.

Blair has extensive experience in international multilateral engagement, including at the UNFCCC, the G20, the WHO and the OECD. Blair was the Vice Chair of the Economic Development and Review Committee at the OECD.

Blair assumed the role of Chair of the WHO’s Executive Board on 28 May 2025, following his election at the Board’s 157th session. His one-year tenure, concluding on 25 May 2026, has centred on advancing WHO’s governance reform agenda.

Blair has held other significant leadership positions as Secretary of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. He led the New South Wales Public Service as Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

He has expertise in governance, financing and risk management. In the private sector, he was a senior partner of a strategy advisory firm.

Blair has a Bachelor of Economics (Hons), a Master of Economics and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies.