Phil Ruthven

Phil founded IBIS Corporate Services, as it was then known, in 1971. Today IBISWorld is an international corporation and global leader in online industry information.

Phil’s reputation in Australia’s business community is held in the highest regard. He continues to be one of Australia’s most frequent and prolific commentators and is widely considered the nation’s most respected strategist and futurist on business, social and economic matters. Requested by many major organisations to be a guest speaker, Phil travels Australia and the world, addresses about 20-30 congresses, seminars and conferences each year, (down from his peak of 100-150) and has done so for five decades. As well as being a published author, Phil contributes regularly to radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and documentaries on business, economic and social issues.

Phil is a science graduate with further studies in management and economics at various universities and institutes and was a Rotary awardee to the United States in the late 1960s. He spent over 10 years in the food industry, including executive positions in research, production and marketing, before establishing IBIS in Melbourne, Australia.

Phil is currently Chairman of his newly-formed, Ruthven Institute. He is also Adjunct Professor at UTS, and a member of the ANU College of Business & Economics Advisory Board. He is a recent past board member of the Melbourne Institute, CEDA and a past Director of Open Family Australia where he continues to help as an Ambassador for Whitelion/Open Family. In 2014, Phil became a Member of the Order of Australia, in recognition of his significant service to business and the community.