David Thodey AO

David Thodey AO is a highly respected global business leader with more than 40 years of experience in innovation, technology, and telecommunications, creating lasting 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. He also serves as a non-executive Board director of Ramsay Health Care, a global hospital group, and was formerly Chair of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national research organisation.

Previously, David was Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Telstra from May 2009 until April 2015, where he led the company through significant transformation and innovation. Before Telstra, he spent 22 years at IBM, including as CEO for Australia and New Zealand, holding multiple senior executive roles across the Asia-Pacific region.

David’s international influence extends through his appointment to the Board of the GSM Association, the global body for mobile carriers and related companies, and co-chairing the Infrastructure and Investment Taskforce of the B20 leadership group. He has also served as Chairman of Basketball Australia and is a passionate advocate for customer-centred business transformation and technological innovation.

David has been recognised for his contributions with an honorary Doctorate in Science from Deakin University (2016), an honorary Doctorate in Technology from the University of Technology (2018), and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2017 for services to business and ethical leadership. He led a decadal review of the Australian Public Service for the Government in 2019 and continues to contribute through consulting, venture capital, public policy, science, research, and innovation, while managing his own investment portfolio.