Michael Chaney Ao

Michael rejoined the Board as a non-executive director in June 2015 and became Chairman in November 2015. Michael graduated with Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from The University of Western Australia in 1972 and 1980 respectively. He completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1992 and has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from The University of Western Australia.

After obtaining his Science degree, Michael worked for eight years as a petroleum geologist in Australia and the USA. He joined the Australian Industry Development Corporation in 1980 as a corporate finance executive and became Manager for Western Australia in 1981. He joined Wesfarmers in 1983 as Company Secretary and Administration Manager, became Finance Director in 1984 and was appointed Managing Director in July 1992. He retired from that position in July 2005.

Michael is the former Chairman of Woodside Petroleum Limited (retired April 2018) and the National Australia Bank (retired December 2015); and a former director of BHP Limited (retired October 2005) and the Centre for Independent Studies (retired July 2022). He is former Chancellor of The University of Western Australia (retired December 2017) and former Governor of the Forrest Research Foundation (resigned December 2020). Michael is currently Chairman of Northern Star Resources Limited and the National School Resourcing Board. He is also a director of the Centre for Independent Studies and a member of the Gresham Resources Royalties Fund Investment Committee.