David Thodey to chair CSIRO

Former Telstra boss, David Thodey, has been appointed to chair the board of the CSIRO for the next five years.

The CSIRO said Thodey’s experience in building business networks will be valuable as it implements its new 2020 Strategy, a plan to boost Australia’s innovation performance. Thodey retired as Telstra CEO in February, a position he held since May 2009.

The former IBM executive was credited with increasing Telstra’s share price and doubling the value of the company. He held senior marketing and sales positions – including CEO of IBM A/NZ over a 22-year career with the computing giant.

Minister for Industry and Science, Ian Macfarlane, said Thodey’s appointment is more evidence of the Australian government’s clear strategy to put science at the centre of industry policy.

“Mr Thodey is one of Australia’s most well-known and respected businessmen. He will bring a wealth of industry acumen to Australia’s peak science agency as it plays an increasingly central role in maximising our economic opportunities and industry growth,” he said.

Minister Macfarlane added that capitalising on Australia’s areas of competitive strength and securing future jobs will depend on lifting the rate of collaboration between industry and researchers.

“The Australian Government has set out a clear pathway to ensure our nation’s best researchers… and most productive industries can work to mutual advantage by making the best use of our $9.7 billion annual investment in science and research,” he said.

Thodey will join the board in November.

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