Rod McGeoch

Strategies for success. The prime mover behind Sydney’s bid for the 2000 Olympic Games. Prior to that he had a career of national prominence in the legal profession, proven management skills and an abiding interest in sport.

With a remarkable career at the forefront of business, sports administration and the legal profession, Rod McGeoch unites exemplary senior level management experience with an unparalleled commitment to achievement. Perhaps best known as the leader of Sydney's successful Olympics 2000 bid, he is Chairman or Director of a wide range of major corporations and past Chairman Emeritus of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, one of Australia's largest law firms.

Indeed, Rod was described, in an ABN AMRO report as being Australasia’s most influential Director. He is a past-President of the Law Society of New South Wales and a Member of the Order of Australia, awarded in recognition of his invaluable services to the legal profession. He is a former Chairman of the Committee for Sydney and plays a leading role in a variety of cultural, community and welfare organisations including the Salvation Army, the Australia Young Leaders Program, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NSW.

He is an accomplished media presenter, whose career highlights include winning (with Margaret Throsby) the Golden Gavel Award for excellence in legal reporting. Rod was also the official media spokesman for the Law Society of New South Wales and comments frequently on television, radio and in the newspaper on all aspects of the law, the legal profession, the Olympic Games, transport issues and issues to do with the development or otherwise of Sydney.

Rod has published two best selling books: “McGeoch” in 1988 and “The Bid” in 1994. He is an outstanding speaker on a variety of subject areas including business development, marketing, the law and the Olympic Games. He delivers compelling insights into corporate strategies, leadership and team motivation.

Winning significant bids, in sport as in business, calls for vision, faith and the ability to imbue organisations with the unshakeable spirit that leads to success. Rod has brought these qualities to the leadership of major sporting and business bids.

He has advised on large corporate tender bids, for example by assisting Australia Pacific Airports Corporation to prevail against intense competition in acquiring Melbourne and Launceston Airports. As is well know, he led Sydney's bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games as Chief Executive of Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Limited. As a consultant he helped Athens to win the right to host the 2004 Olympic Games. He was part of the team – the right hand man -who scored New Zealand the 2011 Rugby World Cup. “When I’m in my bid mode I have an enormous focus on winning”

In 2001 he was appointed a director of Telecom NZ Ltd. And was appointed to the Sky City Board of Directors in September 2002 and appointed Chairman in 2004. Sky City Entertainment Group is one of New Zealand’s most successful public companies, managing gaming and entertainment complexes, cinemas, hotels and conventions facilities and owns complexes in Auckland, Queenstown and Hamilton in New Zealand as well as the Adelaide Casino and Darwin Casino in Australia. In April 2003 he was appointed Chairman to the Trans Tasman Advisory Board of Saatchi and Saatchi.

Rod has received many awards:

1990 - Member of the Order of Australia for services to the legal profession 1993 - The Key to the City of Sydney 1993 - Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary Australia 1994 - ABC Sports Administrator of the Year. 1994 - Spirit of Australia Award 1994 - Order of Merit from the Australian Olympic committee. 1994 - “Advertising Age International’ Marketing Superstar Award 1997 -Australian Institute of Export (NSW) – National Export Hero 1999 - Tourism Legend Award-Tourism Training Australia 2000 - Chairman’s Special Achievement Award – Australia Tourism Award 2000 - International Olympic Committee – Order of Merit.

Presentations:

Topics: Commitment to Excellence Myths and Truisms of Winning The Secrets of Success Thriving in a Competitive Environment