Leigh Clifford AO was appointed Chairman of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in December, 2009.
Leigh, the current Chairman of Qantas and former chief executive of Rio Tinto, succeeded Laurence G Cox who retired after 25 years of service.
Leigh held a wide variety of operational and marketing roles during his 37 year career at Rio Tinto, and was appointed as chief executive in 2000. He retired from the role in April 2007 and joined the board of Qantas as Chairman in November 2007.
Leigh is also a director of Barclays Bank, Bechtel Group Inc in the USA, Chairman of Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd, and senior adviser to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Mr Clifford was honoured as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) on Australia Day 2008.
“Murdoch Childrens is recognised globally for its work and has a track record of research excellence,” Leigh said.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help the Institute achieve its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of Australian children and their families.”
