OBITUARY

Peter North died on 19/03/2019.

Peter John North was a leader in the engineering and automotive sectors who had a profound insight into the transformative character of emerging technology.

He attained a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honours at the University of Sydney in 1958 and a Master in Business Administration with Distinction at Harvard University in 1960.

Mr North was Chairman of several listed companies in the wine, heavy engineering and bulk transport industries. He served in senior roles in many organisations, including McKinsey & Co, Ford Australia, British Leyland, Streeton Consulting, Cochlear, Leighton, Mildara Blass, Heggies Bulkhaul, Bishops Austrans and the University of Sydney.

Peter North was a driving force behind the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, a strategic thinktank within the University of Sydney. The Warren Centre brings industry, government and academia together to create thought leadership in engineering, technology, and innovation.

A member of the Founding Committee in 1979, he went on to serve as Board Director 1982-2007, Chairman 1996-2007, and was named an Honorary Life Governor.

In 1992 Mr North co-founded the Australian Centre for Innovation, which developed strategies and policies for science, technology and innovation in the public and private sectors. He continued as a Director of the Centre until it wound up in January 2019.

Mr North was elected a Fellow in 2003 and was an active member of the NSW Division. He served on the Council, then the Board, and was a member of the Health Technology and Innovation forums.

He was deeply committed to sustainability. He was a member of the Club of Rome, a proud advocate for action on climate change and, with his wife Ronwyn, a passionate protector of Australia’s powerful owls.

He strived to better prepare Australians for a changing future.

Mr North died on 19 March 2019, aged 85.