The Business Council of Australia is pleased to announce Geoff Culbert will succeed Tim Reed as the next BCA president.
Mr Culbert has considerable experience to take on the role of president, with an extensive commercial background in global and domestic markets.
As CEO of Sydney Airport, Mr Culbert led Australia’s largest airport through the most disruptive time in aviation history, after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down air travel. Throughout this period, Mr Culbert successfully navigated the crucial supply chain relationships that kept Australia moving and subsequently reopened the airport to the travelling public.
Mr Culbert also successfully steered Sydney Airport through the largest infrastructure transaction in Australian history with its acquisition by a consortium of superannuation funds.
Tim Reed, who has served as BCA president since 2019, said Mr Culbert is a passionate advocate for the positive role that business plays in our community.
“Geoff brings a wealth of knowledge to this role and he will champion the interests of Australian businesses and the millions of Australians they employ.
“It has been an honour to serve as the president of the BCA over the past four years and, in that time, I have witnessed the remarkable resilience and strength of Australian business.
“I am incredibly proud of the work undertaken to advocate for policies that foster economic prosperity, job creation, innovation and global competitiveness, and to implement programs that have supported communities right across Australia.
Mr Culbert said he was honoured to take on the role of BCA president.
“I look forward to working with government at all levels – local, state and federal – to tackle these challenges, and I’m committed to advocating policies that advance our nation’s economic prosperity, and ensuring that prosperity is shared with all Australians.
“The business community carries a big responsibility.
“The challenges that lie ahead, like climate change, the energy transition, cost of living and our competitiveness in a complex global environment are not the government’s responsibility to solve on its own.”
BCA chief executive Bran Black paid tribute to Mr Reed’s leadership, which coincided with some of the most difficult domestic and global challenges in recent history – including navigating the business response to catastrophic bushfires, floods and a global pandemic.
“Tim has worked tirelessly in representing the business community and has always stood up when it counted. His passion for skills, innovation and climate policy has been exceptional.
“I thank Tim for his incredible contribution to the BCA over many years, including as an engaged member, director and then president.
“I look forward to working with Geoff to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.”
Mr Culbert will commence his term as BCA president on Thursday 1 February 2024.
