David Thodey AO

David Thodey AO is a global business leader focused on innovation, technology and telecommunications with more than forty (40) years of experience creating brand and shareholder value.

He is currently Chairman of Tyro, Australia’s only independent EFTPOS banking institution and Xero, a cloud-based accounting software provider for small and medium-sized businesses, and a non-executive Board director of Ramsay Health Care, a global hospital group. Until recently he was also Chair of the Commonwealth Science, Industry & Research Organisation (CSIRO), the national research organisation for Australia.

Previously David was Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Telstra, appointed in May 2009, retiring from this position on 30 April 2015. Before joining Telstra, David was Chief Executive Officer, Australia and New Zealand at IBM. During his 22 years at IBM, David held several senior executive positions across Asia Pacific.

In January 2013, David joined the Board of the GSM Association, the global body made up of carriers and related companies that supports the standardisation and deployment of mobile technology around the world. He was also co-chair of the Infrastructure and Investment Taskforce of the B20 leadership group.

David has a keen interest in basketball, and was previously Chairman of Basketball Australia. He is a technologist and interested in customer centred transformation of businesses.

David received an honorary Doctorate in Science from Deakin University in 2016, honorary Doctorate in Technology from University of Technology in 2018, and was recognised for his services to business and ethical business leadership with an Order of Australia (AO) in January 2017. He has recently led a decadal review of the Australian Public Service for the Government (2019).

David now serves on a number of Boards and is also active in consulting, venture capital, public policy, and science, research and innovation while managing his own investment portfolio.

David Thodey talks about:

• Authentic leadership
• Workplace equity
• Technology
• Digital transformation
• Corporate social responsibility