Sir Roderick Ian Eddington

Former CEO, British Airways

B.Eng. (Hons)(UWA), M.Eng.Sci. (UWA), Hon.LLD (UWA), D.Phil. (Oxon)

Sir Rod Eddington is one of Australia’s most experienced and accomplished business leaders. Educated as an engineer at the University of Western Australia and the Oxford University as WA’s 1974 Rhodes Scholar, he has demonstrated his acumen and expertise on the national, regional, and international stages.

Sir Rod’s career began in transport and aviation in 1979 when he joined the Swire Group. He worked with Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong, Korea and Japan in a variety of roles, before being appointed MD and CEO in 1992. In 1997, he was appointed Executive Chairman of Ansett Airlines, a position he held until 2000, when News Corporation sold its 50% interest in Ansett. Most recently, he returned to Australia after serving for five years as CEO of British Airways, where he successfully led the airline’s turn-around during one of the industry’s most turbulent periods. In 2005, Sir Rod was awarded a Knighthood by the British Government for services to civil aviation. In December 2006, he completed a study for the British Government on the links between transport and the economy.

Today, numerous companies benefit from his time and talents. He is non-executive Chairman (Australia and New Zealand) of JPMorgan, in addition to maintaining non-executive roles with News Corporation, Rio Tinto, Allco Finance Group Limited, CLP (China Light & Power) Holdings, and John Swire & Sons Pty Ltd. He also serves as Chairman of Victorian Major Events Company.

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