Former Telstra CEO to chair CSIRO board

Businessman and former Telstra CEO David Thodey has been appointed the new chair of the board of CSIRO for the next five years, Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane has announced.

Macfarlane described Thodey as “one of Australia’s most well-known and respected businessmen”. He noted that Thodey’s experience in building business networks will be particularly valuable to CSIRO as it implements its masterplan to improve Australia’s record in innovation by 2020.

“Thodey is an innovative Australian businessman and an experienced board chairman and senior executive who offers expertise in management, corporate and government relations, information and communications technology, and sales and marketing,” Macfarlane said.

The Minister added that Thodey’s appointment will enhance the CSIRO’s role in the Australian Government strategy to lift the rate of collaboration between Australian industry and researchers.

“CSIRO will work with the new Industry Growth Centres, the refocused CRC Programme and the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme to ensure a comprehensive, accessible and effective industry network that delivers outcomes for businesses,” Macfarlane said.

Since becoming CEO and executive director of Telstra in May 2009, Thodey has been credited with significantly increasing the company’s share price and doubling its value. He formally retired from the CEO position on 30 April and will leave Telstra on 21 August.

Prior to joining Telstra, Thodey’s 22-year career at IBM comprised a number of senior marketing and sales positions, including CEO of IBM Australia/New Zealand. He also has over 20 years’ experience working in Asia, which is pertinent to both CSIRO and the government’s Industry Growth Centres.

“I feel privileged and honoured to be asked to contribute to the future of the CSIRO — an outstanding community of researchers and scientists,” Thodey said.

“As the Minister has said, we, as a nation, have an important opportunity to collaborate across the research community and industry to improve Australia’s global competitiveness. This is essential for the future of our country.

“Consistent with the new CSIRO vision, I hope that the CSIRO can be a catalyst for innovation across key focus industries and the wider community. We must make sure that Australia remains a global leader in the areas of science, research and industry innovation.”

Thodey will join the board in November.