AJBCC Announces New President, Mr Peter Grey

The Australia Japan Business Co-Operation Committee (AJBCC) is pleased to announce the election of Mr Peter Grey as its new President, effective as of the Annual General Meeting held today, Thursday 14 October 2021.

Mr Grey is the Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of MLC Life Insurance and holds a number of other senior business-related positions He has had a long-term association with Japan, serving as Australia’s Ambassador in Tokyo from 1998 to 2001. He spent more than 40 years in the Federal Government in various roles including as the CEO of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) (2010 – 2012), Deputy Secretary of DFAT (1994 – 2010). In addition to his role as Ambassador to Japan, he served as Ambassador to the European Union (2003 – 2006), the World Trade Organisation in Geneva (2009 – 2010), and Senior Official and the first Ambassador for APEC (1994 – 1998). He was also Chief Trade Negotiator for a substantial period between 1994 and 2010.

After leaving government, Mr Grey served as Co-Chair of the Australian-Japan business group of Corrs Chambers Westgarth and was for a period senior advisor international at Link Group. He has served on the Board of the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF). He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Australian Institute for International Affairs and a member of the Advisory Council of the Asia Society. In 2017 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun with gold and silver stars by the Government of Japan.

Retiring President Sir Rod Eddington, AO, welcoming Mr Grey’s appointment, said “I can think of no better person than Peter Grey to be taking on this important position at a time when the Australia-Japan relationship is assuming ever-greater importance for both countries. His distinguished record as a leader in both the private and public sectors and his long association with Japan make him ideally suited to take the AJBCC into its next phase.”

Mr Grey paid tribute to Sir Rod, who stands down as President after leading the AJBCC since 2006. “Sir Rod has been an outstanding leader of the AJBCC with a passion for Australia-Japan relations. His leadership has significantly raised the organisation’s profile and contributed tirelessly to its development. In particular, our successful Future Leaders program, which is crucial to securing the future of the Australia-Japan business relationship, will be remembered as a key part of his legacy. I thank him for his service and look forward to his continued association with the AJBCC.”

The AJBCC was formed in 1962 to promote business relations with Japan along with its counterpart organisation in Tokyo, the Japan-Australia Business Co-operation Committee, formed in 1963.