Former Prime Minister John Howard will welcome seven new Ambassadors for Sydney at the Opera House tonight.

Howard said,  “Sydney is a global intellectual capital and an important driver of the Australian economy. Business Events Sydney and its Ambassador network are helping us grow the knowledge economy by facilitating innovation and collaboration in our most globally competitive priority sectors.”

The new Ambassadors are:
• Sally Loane, CEO, Financial Services Council
• Zareh Nalbandian, CEO, Animal Logic
• Lee White, CEO, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
• Professor Ian Jacobs, president and vice-chancellor, University of New South Wales
• Professor Barney Glover, vice-chancellor and president, University of Western Sydney
• Professor Stephen Simpson AC, academic director, Charles Perkins Centre
• Professor Ken Maher, Hassell, president-elect, Australian Institute of Architects.

Ambassadors use their global network and expertise to help Business Events Sydney secure multi-million dollar international events for Australia. These span priority sectors including infrastructure, information and communication technology, professional services, medical research and education. Hosting these events drives STEM jobs, fosters innovation and entices global talent to relocate.

Launched in 2009, the Business Events Sydney Ambassador Program today includes more than 90 influential leaders including the Hon Warwick Smith AM and Rod McGeough AO.

Existing ambassadors are listed here.