Councillor Clausen will fill the seat left vacant by Local Government Super (LGS) deputy chair Bruce Miller, who is stepping down after nearly 11 years on the board.
The role of deputy chair has been taken by sitting board member and Penrith mayor Karen McKeown.
On Mr Clausen’s appointment, LGS chair Kyle Loades commented: “Declan’s commitment to working as key civic leader driving a strategy of liveability, sustainability and the uptake of smart city technologies during his time at the City of Newcastle demonstrates that he is a perfect fit for the LGS.”
He added the departing Mr Miller had made a valuable contribution to the board and members of LGS.
“Bruce is a strong advocate for responsible and sustainable investing and successfully led LGS through a period of governance change to achieve the best possible outcome for our members,” Mr Loades said.
Mr Clausen has been the deputy lord mayor of Newcastle since 2017 and is the fourth director to join LGS in the last 18 months. Other recent appointments have included Mr Loades, the chair, as well as chief executive Phil Stockwell and directors Sandi Orleow and Claudia Bels.
Mr Clausen is currently the executive officer at the Hunter Water Corporation and has previously worked in public affairs with the Sydney Water Corporation.
At LGS, the maximum tenure for directors is 12 years.
