David Thodey

Mr David Thodey AO is a business leader who has had a strong executive career in the technology and telecommunications industries, with more than 30 years of experience creating brand and shareholder value.

In addition to being a Non-Executive Director and Lead Independent Director of Ramsay Health Care, Mr Thodey is currently Chairman of Australia’s national scientific research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Chairman of Tyro Payments Limited (a leading alternative payments provider) and Xero Limited (a small business accounting software company).

Mr Thodey also had a successful career as CEO of Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services company, and prior to that he was CEO of IBM.

Mr Thodey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and English from Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, attended the Kellogg School of Management postgraduate General Management Program at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Technology from Deakin University in 2016 and an Honorary Doctorate of Business from University of Technology Sydney in 2018.

Mr Thodey is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Mr Thodey was awarded an Order of Australia in 2017 for his service to business and the promotion of ethical leadership and workplace diversity.