Leigh Clifford

Leigh Clifford AC AO is an Australian businessman and corporate executive.

Mr Clifford was appointed to the Qantas Board in August 2007 and as chair in November 2007. Mr Clifford is a director of Crestone Wealth Management and Bechtel Group, and chair of Bechtel Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria Foundation. He is a senior adviser to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, a Member of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria, and a board member of Equestrian Australia. Mr Clifford was previously a director of Barclays Bank and Freeport-McMoRan. He was chief executive of Rio Tinto from 2000 to 2007 and retired from its board in 2007. His executive and board career with Rio Tinto spanned some 37 years, in Australia and overseas.

In 2008, Mr Clifford was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to business through executive roles in the mining industry, to the promotion of international trade and the development of export markets, and to the arts. In 2022, he was was promoted to a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent services to business in the aviation, arts and education sectors, to the community through charitable support and scholarships, and for philanthropic contributions.