Neville
Roach AO

Speaker Profile

Mr Roach is highly respected as a business and community leader who has made a significant contribution to the IT industry, the Education and Research sector, the development of social policy, especially relating to immigration and multicultural community relations, and Australia’s overseas relations, especially with India.

Mr Roach has had a distinguished career in the Information Technology and Telecommunications industry, which began with IBM Australia from 1965 to 1980. He joined Fujitsu Australia in 1980 as National Systems Engineering Manager, became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in1989 and was appointed Chairman and CEO in 1997. He retired from the CEO position in 2000 and as Chairman in 2004. He also served as an advisor to the global parent company, Fujitsu Limited, and as a director of Fujitsu in the ASEAN region.

Mr Roach is currently Chairman of TCS-FNS (the Australian banking solutions company acquired by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) India, and TCS Management (an Australian strategic consultancy company acquired by TCS India) and an Advisor to TCS Australia.

Mr Roach has contributed to the development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in Australia through holding office in various industry bodies, particularly the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), of which he was Chairman from 1994-1996. He is a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society (FACS). He held several Australian Government appointments in the ICT area, including Chairman of the (Tasmanian) Intelligent Island Board, Deputy Chairman of Special Broadcasting Corporation (SBS) until August 2003, and member of the Information Industries Task Force from 1997 to 1998. He has also served on the New South Wales Government’s Information Technology Advisory Board of and the Victorian Premier’s Communications and Multimedia Task Force.

In the wider business sphere, Mr. Roach is a Director of OneSteel Limited, Chairman of the Advisory Board of VFS Australia Services, (the Australian subsidiary of the world’s largest provider of Visa Outsourcing Services). He was a Director of the NRMA Building Society and was also a member of the Board and New South Wales President of the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA).

Mr Roach has been a significant contributor to the development of national policies and programs relating to social and cultural issues. He was the Chairman of the National Multicultural Advisory Council from 1996 to 1999, and its successor the Council for Multicultural Australia (CMA), which provided advice to the Australian Prime Minister, and the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, from 1999 to 2002.

From the time he came to Australia from India, Mr Roach has played a unique and very influential role in ceaselessly promoting stronger links between India and Australia at government, business and community levels. His strong commitment to both India and Australia and the comfort with which he bridges Australian and Indian cultures, has enabled him to provide valuable input to governments and businesses of both countries, who regard him as a reliable and trusted advisor.

Mr Roach’s most significant and sustained contribution to Australia-India relations has been though his leadership of the Australia India Business Council (AIBC). He became National Chairman of AIBC in 2000, a position he held for the maximum term of 6 years prescribed in its Constitution. AIBC is now the only national business association that focuses totally on promoting stronger business links between Australia and India. It is recognised by both governments and businesses as the body to involve in any bilateral business activity between both countries.

In recognition of his contribution to AIBC, he was awarded the title of Chairman Emeritus for life when he completed his term as National Chairman in 2006.

Mr Roach received one of Australia’s highest honours when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) on Australia Day, 2000 for service to business, particularly in the Information Technology Industry and for his contribution to the development of Australian Multiculturalism.

In January 2008, Mr Roach received the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (Overseas Indian Honour Award) from the President of India on the recommendation of the High Commissioner in Australia, Her Excellency, Ms Sujatha Singh.

In April 2008, he was appointed Honorary NSW “Sydney Ambassador to India” by the NSW Government.

Mr Roach is also an Honorary Life Member of CEDA, a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society and Chairman Emeritus of the Australia India Business Council.