John Stanhope AM
Chancellor of Deakin University
John Stanhope AM has extensive experience in governance, finance, accounting and business strategy. He was Chairman of Australia Post from 2012 to 2019, Chief Financial Officer and Group Managing Director, Finance and Administration with Telstra Corporation Limited from 2003 to 2011 and was an Executive Director of Telstra from 2009 to 2011.
From 2006 until 2012 John was a member of the Finance Reporting Council, the peak body responsible for overseeing the effectiveness of the financial reporting framework in Australia and remains involved in corporate reporting improvements.
John is Chairman of the Port of Melbourne Authority, the Bionics Institute, and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
John has undertaken studies at Deakin University and Stanford University. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors, CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Institute of Managers and Leaders and the Human Resources Management Institute.
In 2014 John was awarded a Deakin Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2016 he was made a member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to the financial and national communication sectors through a range of leadership roles.
Qualifications
BCom (Deakin), FAICD, FAIM, FCPA, FICA, FHRM
University Profile
Deakin’s ambition is to be Australia’s most progressive and responsive university, leading in blending digital capability with distinctive campus precincts. As one of Australia’s largest universities, we leverage strong partnerships to maximise the social, cultural and economic impact we deliver regionally, nationally and globally. Our innovation and excellence in both education and research is reflected in many rankings and survey results, and generates ideas that transform lives and communities.
Our campuses facilitate partnerships to deliver social, cultural and economic benefits. Headquartered in Geelong, we have campuses in central Geelong, Waurn Ponds, Melbourne and Warrnambool and vibrant online education. We are also establishing two International Branch Campuses in GIFT City, India and Bandung, Indonesia.
Deakin’s strategic plan sets out an optimistic future powered by ideas and framed by five Impact Themes that act as our compass for navigating opportunities and decisions. Through our strategic agenda we are committed to lifelong learning and employability, discovery and creativity, digital capability, social justice, inclusivity and the strength of diversity. Through our balanced excellence in education and research, we create a rich and complex ideas ecosystem that delivers lasting value for our students, partners and communities.
Deakin continues to be a sector leader for student satisfaction ranking first in Victoria for undergraduate satisfaction in the Australian Graduate Student Survey (13 consecutive years) and overall undergraduate student experience in the Student Experience Survey (seven consecutive years).
Deakin is in the top 1per cent of the world’s universities in each of the major international university rankings: Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings. Our researchers are also among the top 1per cent of researchers worldwide.
Deakin is an employer of choice and has been awarded the ‘Employer of Choice for Gender Equality’ citation for 15 consecutive years by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
Deakin has an inclusive and vibrant culture, and is proud of the diversity of its community. It is committed to the values of excellence, integrity, inclusion and sustainability.
The following characteristics have defined the Deakin character throughout its history:
a focus on regional Victoria and creating a university for the Geelong region
a commitment to research that will make a difference to the communities Deakin serves
a deep commitment to equity – to First Nations people, students from diverse backgrounds and mature age students
a long-standing commitment to being flexible, accessible and friendly.
To find out more, visit the Deakin University website www.deakin.edu.au/
Governance
Deakin University Council
The primary responsibilities of the Council are set down in the Deakin University Act 2009 (VIC) and include:
appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor as chief executive officer of the University
approving the mission and strategic direction of the University and its annual budget and business plan
overseeing and reviewing the management of the University and its performance
establishing policy and procedural principles for the operation of the University consistent with legal requirements and community expectations
overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University
overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University
approving significant commercial activities and systems of control and accountability.
Membership of Deakin University’s Council is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
John Stanhope AM – Chancellor (to 31 December 2025)
Professor Iain Martin – Vice-Chancellor
Professor Judy Currey – Chair of Academic Board (to 31 December 2026)
Appointed Members – Ministerial
Nino Ficca (to 31 December 2026)
Anoushka Gungadin (to 31 December 2024)
Ryan Leemon (to 30 June 2025)
Dr Lyn Roberts AO - Deputy Chancellor (to 31 December 2025)
Georgina Williams (to 31 December 2024)
Appointed Members – Council
Dianne Angus (to 30 June 2024)
Carol Boyer-Spooner - Deputy Chancellor (to 31 December 2024)
Stephen Bubb (to 31 December 2026)
Richard Carr (to 31 December 2026)
Stuart Hamilton AO (to 31 December 2024)
Elected Members
Professor Catherine Bennett – Staff member (to December 2026)
Simar Bedi – Student member (to 31 December 2024)
Other Governing Bodies
Other governing bodies within the University include:
Academic Board
Chair – Professor Judy Currey
Audit and Risk Committee
Chair – Richard Carr
Chancellor’s Advisory Committee
Chair – John Stanhope AM, Chancellor
Finance and Business Affairs Committee
Chair – Ryan Leemon
Honorary Degrees Committee
Chair – John Stanhope AM, Chancellor
Investment Committee
Chair – Carol Boyer-Spooner, Deputy Chancellor
People and Culture Committee
Chair – John Stanhope AM, Chancellor