David Thodey AO is one of Australia’s most respected business leaders across technology, healthcare, public policy, innovation, higher education, and governance. He is known for leading complex organisations through transformation, and for bridging the priorities of business, government, and the community.
A former CEO of Telstra and IBM Australia and New Zealand, David helps organisations make better decisions in complex environments. He is regularly invited to share his expertise on leadership, change management and disruption, bringing broad strategic insight shaped by executive and board experience. David also shares clear-eyed observations on the Australian business landscape, including how emerging technologies are reshaping strategy, competition, governance, and customer expectations.
David currently serves as Chair of Xero, a global leader in cloud-based accounting software, and Ramsay Health Care, a prominent international hospital group. In July 2024, he was appointed the 19th Chancellor of the University of Sydney. He also co-chairs the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and is a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Governance Board.
His board leadership includes Chair of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), supporting advancements in scientific research and innovation. He also chaired Tyro, Australia’s largest independent payments company, and a number of other companies.
David has played an active role in public policy in Australia. In 2019, he led an Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (APS). He also chaired a New South Wales Government-appointed panel tasked with an independent review of Federal Financial Relations and led a user audit of the myGov digital portal. In 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as Deputy Chair of the Federal Government’s National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCC) Advisory Board.
In recognition of his ethical business leadership, David was appointed an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Technology from Deakin University, and Honorary Doctor of Business degrees from the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney.
Talking Points
In Conversation with David Thodey AO
In conversation, David brings clarity to complex issues and keeps the discussion anchored in real organisational decisions. With an experienced facilitator guiding the flow, the session can be tailored to the room and to current priorities, making it highly relevant for leadership events, executive offsites, client forums and industry conferences.In Conversation with David Thodey AO
Recommended format:
- 30 to 60 minutes in conversation, followed by optional audience Q&A
- Tailored by sector and event objectives
Themes David can speak to:
- Leadership, change management and disruption
- Strategy, governance, risk and decision-making under pressure
- The Australian business landscape and shifting stakeholder expectations
- Emerging technologies and what they change in competition, execution and governance
- Service transformation and digital service delivery at scale
Keynote Presentations
David’s Keynotes are designed for audiences navigating real-world change, shifting expectations, and competing priorities. He brings a clear, boardroom-level lens to the decisions leaders face, linking strategy, execution, and the implications of new technologies in a way that is practical and relevant.Keynote Presentations
Common areas of focus include:
- Leading through disruption and uncertainty, staying clear on priorities when trade-offs are unavoidable
- Change management that lands, alignment, accountability and momentum through transformation
- Strategy to execution, turning intent into practical focus and sustained delivery
- Governance, risk and trust, improving decision quality when the stakes are high
- Customer and stakeholder expectations, lifting performance by focusing on external outcomes
- Innovation at scale, building focus, discipline and follow-through
- Emerging technologies, what they change in competition, operating models, governance and customer expectations
- Service transformation and digital service delivery at scale
Video
What makes a great leader? Insights from David Thodey AO
David Thodey, Chair of Xero and Director of Ramsay Health Care, shares his perspective on what makes a great leader. Reflecting on his career and leadership philosophy, Thodey emphasizes that true leadership is driven by a deeper sense of service rather than charisma. Discover the qualities that define great leadership and how to lead with purpose.Building trust in public institutions – Chancellor David Thodey AO's Sydney Policy Lab Lecture
Delivering the 2025 Sydney Policy Lab Lecture on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at the Sibyl Centre, the University of Sydney Chancellor reflected on the essential elements of trust, lessons from his senior leadership roles in business and public service, and their meaning for the University, its communities and partners.David was able to connect very well with the Fujitsu audience and spoke very eloquently about his own relevant experience in leading change. He was able to quote concrete examples and at th ... keep reading Fujitsu
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