David Baxby
Level 6, Building 1, Arch Building, Bond University
Contact details
Professional biography
David Baxby was elected as the ninth Chancellor of the University on 24 May 2024.
The Chancellor is responsible for providing leadership to the Council. This appointment is wide-reaching and includes several responsibilities, from facilitating discussion on Council and University matters, to managing Council’s relationship with the senior management of the University.
He succeeds Hon Dr Annabelle Bennett AC who was, to date, the University’s longest serving Chancellor.
He graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (with honours) degrees in 1994. He is the first Alumnus to be elected as Chancellor.
He has significant experience in business, both in Australia and abroad, particularly as an investment banker. He was, for many years the co-Chief Executive of the Virgin Group with responsibility for expanding the brand into new sectors and further expanding its international reach. He also held a senior executive role with Wesfarmers Limited.
In 2021 he co-founded Coogee Capital a private equity company that invests in businesses looking to secure the next phase of growth.
He was the recipient of the inaugural Robert Stable Alumni Medal in 2013. This prestigious award is awarded annually to recognise exceptional achievement in any field by a Bond University graduate who has brought distinction to themselves, the University and benefit to their communities through their vocation.
The Chancellor contributes his time and resources to a number of philanthropic activities, including being a participant in the Starlight Children’s Foundation “Tour de Kids”. In addition, he was Chairman of Virgin Unite in the Asia Pacific region which principally focussed on youth at risk, in particular homelessness and drug dependency.
He has previously served on the University’s governing body from 2015 until 2023.
The Chancellor and his family have a strong personal connection to the University; he met his wife Selina while they were both students and two of their children are Bond University graduates.