The tenure of David Ingle Thodey as chief executive officer of Telstra concluded in April 2015, marking the end of a six-year period leading the telecommunications firm. Born in Perth in 1954, Thodey has since transitioned into high-level governance roles across the corporate, public, and academic sectors in Australia.
Formative Years and Education
Thodey attended Nelson College in New Zealand between 1967 and 1971. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and English at the Victoria University of Wellington. His academic profile includes completion of the postgraduate general management program at the Kellogg School of Management, located at Northwestern University in Chicago.
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Before his leadership roles in telecommunications, Thodey spent his early career at IBM. He held various senior marketing and sales positions across the Asia Pacific region, eventually serving as managing director for IBM Australia/New Zealand from 1999 to 2000. He joined Telstra in April 2001, initially directing Telstra Mobiles. By December 2002, he oversaw the Enterprise and Government division, managing corporate and international sales. He assumed the role of chief executive officer on 19 May 2009, succeeding Sol Trujillo.
Governance and Public Service
Since leaving Telstra, Thodey has chaired several prominent organizations, including the CSIRO Board beginning in November 2015, Ramsay Health Care, and Xero as of 2020. In 2018, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull appointed him to lead an independent review of the Australian Public Service. The 2019 report proposed 40 recommendations for structural reform. In March 2024, the University of Sydney selected Thodey as chancellor, a role he commenced in July 2024, succeeding Belinda Hutchinson.
Recognition and Awards
Thodey was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his contributions to the telecommunications and technology sectors, alongside his support for ethical leadership and basketball. His academic honors include an Honorary Doctor of Science from Deakin University in 2015, an Honorary Doctorate in Business from the University of Technology Sydney, and a Doctor of Business from the University of Sydney awarded in 2023.
Fast facts
- Born: 14 May 1954, Perth
- Citizenship: Australia
- Alma Mater: Nelson College; Victoria University of Wellington; Northwestern University
- Former CEO: Telstra
- Appointed Chancellor: University of Sydney, July 2024
- Award: Officer of the Order of Australia, 2017
Questions readers ask
What is David Thodey's current academic role?
He serves as the chancellor of the University of Sydney, a position he assumed in July 2024.
Which public service project did Thodey lead in 2018?
He chaired the independent review of the Australian Public Service, which delivered 40 recommendations for reform in 2019.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of Australia — 2017
- Affiliated with Telstra
- Educated at Victoria University of Wellington and Nelson College