Sydney – 18 March 2024 – The Board of the European Australian Business Council (EABC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Duncan Lewis as the next Council Chair.
Mr Lewis is currently the Board Chair of EABC Major Partner Thales Australia, and ANU Crawford School Professor of National Security, following a distinguished 47-year career with the Australian Government, both in and out of uniform.
Duncan will become EABC Chair following the leadership of the late former Labor Leader and Trade Minister the Hon Simon Crean, and his predecessor former NSW Premier the Hon Nick Greiner AC. Mr Lewis will officially assume the role of Chair of the EABC at its next Board meeting on 23 May 2024.
Duncan Lewis retired from public service as Director-General of ASIO in 2019, having previously served as Major General, Special Operations Commander Australia. On retiring from the Army he served as Australia’s first National Security Advisor to two Prime Ministers. He later served as the Secretary of the Department of Defence, and then as Australian Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO.
He joined the Australian Army after schooling in Western Australia, and graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1975. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his military service in 2005, and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for service in East Timor, and the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for command of the Special Air Service Regiment.
Mr Lewis said today that he was deeply honoured to have been invited to Chair the Board of the EABC and looks forward to working with Board members and EABC CEO Jason Collins. Mr Lewis also acknowledged the achievements of the previous Chair, the late Simon Crean, and hopes to carry forward his great work.
He expressed his gratitude to Deputy Chairs Vicki Thomson and Jeff Connolly for jointly undertaking the responsibilities of the Chair during difficult circumstances following Simon Crean’s passing. Jeff Connolly will retire from the Board at its next meeting and join the EABC Corporate Council.
Mr Lewis also said he looks forward to leading the upcoming EABC Mission to Europe in June 2024, and expressed his enthusiasm for addressing the many opportunities and challenges that present for the European Australian relationship.
Mr Lewis noted the European Australian Business Council includes the leadership of some of Europe and Australia’s largest companies, industry organisations and other stakeholders working together. The EABC has a critical role in promoting the importance of Australia’s economic relationship with Europe, and its capacity for further growth.
Europe, as a region (including the 27-Member States of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and others), represents Australia’s largest economic partner. Combined annual two-way trade between Australia and Europe exceeds of $A150 billion and total two-way investment of over $A3 trillion.
European companies are embedded throughout the Australian economy, contributing to Australia’s sovereign capability in defence, energy, financial services, health, infrastructure, technology and transport sectors, among others. Australian companies are major investors in a similarly diversified range of sectors in European markets, and critical infrastructure including airports, ports, energy and road networks.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Jason Collins, CEO, EABC
jcollins@eabc.com.au /
+61 458 286 686
