Friday 5 August 2022

Sydney Airport announces that David Gonski AC will be re-joining the Board as Independent Chair, commencing on 1 August 2022.

The Directors (including Mr Gonski) of the previously listed Sydney Airport Corporation Limited retired on 9 March 2022 following its acquisition by the Sydney Aviation Alliance (SAA).

International executive search firm, Heidrick & Struggles was commissioned by SAA to assist in recruiting a highly regarded Independent Chair. This subsequently resulted in Mr Gonski being approached to join the Board.

John Pearce, Chief Investment Officer of UniSuper, said: “We are delighted that David has agreed to Chair Sydney Airport. He provides enormous experience in the governance of large enterprises as well as valuable experience with this asset.”

Other recent Sydney Airport board appointments include Margaret Staib (Air Vice Marshal and former Air Services Australia CEO), Sir David Higgins (Chair of Gatwick Airport and United Utilities, and former CEO of Lend Lease and London Olympic Delivery Authority), Michael Byrne (former Managing Director of Toll Holdings and former CEO of Linfox and Coates Hire) and Deborah O’Toole (Chair of Transurban Queensland and former CFO of Aurizon and Queensland Rail).

SAA is made up of funds managed or advised by Global Infrastructure Partners and IFM Investors as well as Australian Retirement Trust, AustralianSuper and UniSuper. Through SAA, millions of working Australians – including nurses, teachers, and construction and hospitality workers – are invested in Sydney Airport through their superannuation.

David Gonski AC biography

Mr. Gonski is the Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, President of the Art Gallery of NSW Trust, Non-Executive Chairperson of Barrenjoey Capital Partners Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Chair of Levande Living and a member of the Board of the Lowy Institute for International Policy.

He is the former Chairperson of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (February 2014 – October 2020). Mr. Gonski was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2007 and received the Centenary Medal in 2003.

Mr. Gonski holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of New South Wales.