Mr David Thodey AO FTSE
Chancellor of The University of Sydney
David Thodey is a business leader focused on innovation, technology, digital transformation and telecommunications. He Commenced as Chancellor of the University of Sydney in July 2024.
He is currently Chair of Xero, a global cloud-based accounting solution and Ramsay Health Care, a global hospital group. He is also co-chair of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, an Australian non-profit established to help preserve the Great Barrier Reef and co-chair of the Climate Leaders Coalition.
Previously, Mr Thodey was Chair of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and Tyro, Australia’s largest independent payments company.
Mr Thodey is active in public policy and led an Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (APS). He also chaired a NSW Government appointed Panel to lead an independent review of Federal Financial Relations. Most recently, Mr Thodey led a user audit of the myGov government services digital portal.
In 2020, Mr Thodey was Deputy Chair of the Federal Government’s National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCC) Advisory Board, supporting the Government to navigate the challenges faced during the early stages of the pandemic.
Prior to his non-executive career, he had a successful career as CEO of Telstra, and before that, CEO of IBM Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Thodey was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Technology from Deakin University and Honorary Doctor of Business from both University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney.
He was made an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for ethical business leadership.
University Profile
A history of thinking forward
As Australia’s first university, the University of Sydney has a proud history of global leadership in education and research and inspiring people from all backgrounds to contribute to positive real-world change.
Our international rankings reflect our sustained track record of excellence and global reputation – we are equal 19th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024).
We offer an exceptional range of disciplines – more than 400 areas of study – and our community includes nearly 70,000 students, 8400 permanent and fixed-term staff and over 430,000 alumni around the world.
We engage with partners across industry, government, non-profit and community sectors to answer the biggest questions facing society, business and our communities worldwide.
To find out more, visit our website or connect with us:
Governance
University of Sydney Senate
The Senate is the governing authority of the University of Sydney and has the functions conferred or imposed on it by or under the University of Sydney Act 1989 (NSW) (as amended).
The Senate of the University oversees all major decisions concerning the conduct of the University, including staff appointments and welfare, student welfare and discipline, financial matters and the physical and academic development of the University. It awards all degrees and diplomas and is responsible to the Parliament of NSW.
Find out more about University of Sydney Senate.
Membership of Sydney University’s Senate is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
David Thodey AO FTSE – Chancellor
Professor Mark Scott AO – Vice-Chancellor
Professor Jane Hanrahan – Chair of Academic Board
Appointed Members – Ministerial
Mr Richard Freudenstein – Deputy Chancellor
Appointed Members – Senate
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew
Jason Yat-sen Li
Karen Moses
Peter Scott
Dr Lisa McIntyre
Elected Members
Professor Renee Ryan AM – Academic Staff
Professor Ben Saul – Academic Staff
Rebecca Ward – Professional Staff
Yinfeng (Benny) Shen – Postgraduate Student
Ben Jorgensen – Undergraduate Student
Other Governing Bodies
Other governing bodies within the University include: