Mr Thodey was Chair of Australia’s Prestigious national scientific research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), between 2015 and 2021. He oversaw the developing and implementation of the 2020 strategy, which focused on benefitting Australia through impactful science and innovation.
Alongside his work in telecommunications and business, he has impacted public policy by leading a review of the Sydney Tech and Innovation Precinct between 2017 and 2019. He also chaired the independent review of the Australian Public Service in 2019, and in 2020 he was appointed by the NSW government to head a steering group to advise the State’s Tech Central precinct.
In 2020, then Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Mr Thodey as Deputy Chair of the Federal Government’s National COVID-19 Coordination Common Advisory Board. The body was responsible for advising the government on public-private partnerships and navigating the social and economic impact of the pandemic in Australia.
Mr Thodey is internationally and locally recognised for his contributions to science and business. Among his many achievements, he was appointed an Officer of the General Division of the Order of Australia for ethical business.
He has also received an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Technology from Deakin University and an Honorary Doctorate in Business from the University of Technology Sydney.
The University of Sydney is fortunate to have Mr Thodey as a member of the University’s Finance Committee, which oversees our annual budget.