Ms Belinda Hutchinson AC
Chancellor of The University of Sydney
Belinda Hutchinson AC became the 18th Chancellor of the University of Sydney in 2013. She is a strong advocate for the critical role of world-class education and research in securing Australia’s social and economic future.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Economics and in 2012 received a University Alumni Award for professional achievement.
She has a deep interest in developing a culture of philanthropy and sits on the not-for-profit board of Australian Philanthropic Services as well as being a Trustee of the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation. Her family foundation supports a variety of community-based initiatives such as the Hunger Project in Malawi, Africa.
In the business sphere she is a non-executive director of Qantas Australia and Thales Australia Limited and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She was previously Chairman of Future Generation Global and QBE Insurance Group, and a director of AGL Energy, Telstra Corporation, Coles Myer, St Vincent’s Health Australia, Crane Group, Energy Australia, TAB, Snowy Hydro Trading, Sydney Water. She has served as President of the Council of the State Library of New South Wales and Chief Executive Women.
She was named a Companion in the Order of Australia in June 2020 in recognition of her eminent service to business, tertiary education and scientific research and for her philanthropic endeavours to address social disadvantage.
University Profile
A history of thinking forward
As Australia’s first university, the University of Sydney has a proud history of global leadership in education and research and inspiring people from all backgrounds to contribute to positive real-world change.
Our international rankings reflect our sustained track record of excellence and global reputation – we are equal 19th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024).
We offer an exceptional range of disciplines – more than 400 areas of study – and our community includes nearly 70,000 students, 8400 permanent and fixed-term staff and over 430,000 alumni around the world.
We engage with partners across industry, government, non-profit and community sectors to answer the biggest questions facing society, business and our communities worldwide.
To find out more, visit our website or connect with us:
Governance
University of Sydney Senate
The Senate is the governing authority of the University of Sydney and has the functions conferred or imposed on it by or under the University of Sydney Act 1989 (NSW) (as amended).
The Senate of the University oversees all major decisions concerning the conduct of the University, including staff appointments and welfare, student welfare and discipline, financial matters and the physical and academic development of the University. It awards all degrees and diplomas and is responsible to the Parliament of NSW.
Find out more about University of Sydney Senate.
Membership of Sydney University’s Senate is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
Belinda Hutchinson AC – Chancellor
Professor Mark Scott AO – Vice-Chancellor
Professor Jane Hanrahan – Chair of Academic Board
Appointed Members – Ministerial
Mr Richard Freudenstein – Deputy Chancellor
Appointed Members – Senate
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew
Jason Yat-sen Li
Karen Moses
Peter Scott
Dr Lisa McIntyre
Elected Members
Professor Renee Ryan AM – Academic Staff
Professor Ben Saul – Academic Staff
Rebecca Ward – Professional Staff
Yinfeng (Benny) Shen – Postgraduate Student
Ben Jorgensen – Undergraduate Student
Other Governing Bodies
Other governing bodies within the University include: