Alexander Downer

Alexander Downer AC has well established commercial and financial networks in Australia and internationally.

Now based in London, Mr Downer had a long and distinguished political career spanning 23 years, including serving as Opposition Leader and leader of the Australian Liberal Party from 1994 to 1995, the longest-serving Foreign Minister of Australia from 1996-2007, and Australian High Commissioner to the UK from 2014 to 2018.

Mr Downer was the executive director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce, and the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus in which he worked on peace talks between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

He is chair of the UK thinktank Policy Exchange, executive chair of the International School for Government at King’s College London, and a trustee of the International Crisis Group.

In January 2001, Mr Downer was awarded the Centenary Medal. In 2013, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Parliament of Australia through the advancement of international relations and foreign policy, particularly in the areas of security, trade and humanitarian aid, and to the community of South Australia. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia in 2013.