Four new ambassadors announced to help promote Sydney on the global stage
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Sydney will be championed on the world stage by four of Australia’s most influential people, after they were inducted into the BESydney Global Ambassador Program last night.
Scott Farquhar, Mike Cannon-Brookes, Pip Marlow and Elizabeth Broderick AO were welcomed to the program by BESydney Global Ambassador Program Patron, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, at the 10th Anniversary Ambassador Dinner.
The ambassadors were announced in front of an audience of some of Australia’s top leaders from academia, professional bodies, government, industry, and the arts and creative industries, who gathered at the International Convention Centre (ICC Sydney) to celebrate the evening.
The 2019 inductees, who join a cohort of more than 100 Global Ambassadors across the strongest sectors of the NSW economy, are:
- Scott Farquhar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Atlassian
- Mike Cannon-Brookes, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Atlassian
- Pip Marlow, CEO, Salesforce ANZ
- Elizabeth Broderick AO, Principal, Elizabeth Broderick and Co
Ms Berejiklian said the Global Ambassador Program showed that great results can be achieved when Government and industry work together.
“I am pleased to welcome the new Global Ambassadors to the program, and I acknowledge the great work that all of our Ambassadors do to help Sydney attract the talent and investment needed to make this city such a great place. Thank you for volunteering your time, resources and expertise to give Sydney the leading edge.
“I also want to congratulate BESydney for their commitment to showcasing Sydney’s many attractions across the globe for 50 years. Together with the Global Ambassadors, BESydney has generated some $1.9 billion in direct expenditure into the NSW economy in the past 10 years alone, which is an incredible achievement,” Ms Berejiklian said.
In the tradition of prominent Australians delivering the annual address, Scott Farquhar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO Atlassian, delivered the ‘Australia Oration’, sharing his vision for the future of work, what’s needed to support Australia’s innovation economy, and his ambition for Sydney and Australia within the global technology sector.
“Sydney has always been our home. We chose to build Atlassian here because we want to create the jobs of the future and the economy of the future. It’s an honour to represent BESydney as a Global Ambassador,” Mr Farquhar said.
“Our vision is to build a tech hub in Sydney that attracts the best talent and opportunity for future generations. That’s why Atlassian is based here, and that’s why we can’t wait to work with BESydney to bring in more business visitors, create more jobs and grow our economy.”
The 2019 Dinner was the centerpiece event in a milestone year for BESydney, which this year celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a decade of the Global Ambassador Program.
Scientia Professor Deo Prasad AO FTSE was surprised on the evening with the unique Global Impact Award, thanking him for his generous support as a BESydney Global Ambassador since the program began. Scientia Professor Prasad, is an international authority and national leader in the field of sustainable buildings and cities, and among the leading advocates for sustainability in Australia. As one of BESydney’s longest serving Global Ambassadors, he has supported an incredible 37 bids with BESydney, including meeting bid decision-makers, facilitating introductions and advocating with global colleagues. Whilst advancing his academic field globally, potential bids identified by Scientia Professor Prasad also represent more than $50 million dollars of future direct expenditure for NSW.
BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith said the 10th Anniversary Ambassador Dinner was a celebration of, and testament to, the invaluable role Ambassadors play in bringing global conversations around development, best practice and change to Australia’s shores.
“Sydney is the nation’s hub for professional, scientific and technical innovation. However, we rely on our advocates to make their achievements and our story known. It’s an honour to work with our incredible Ambassadors to help Sydney and Australia achieve their potential, raising our social and economic prosperity in the process.
“We’ve achieved some incredible things in BESydney’s 50-year history, and for the past 10 years we’ve been fortunate to do so alongside some of Australia’s most ambitious individuals. I believe this collaboration is our most powerful driver of economic growth and innovation, and look forward to seeing the success it brings over the coming decade and beyond,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.
The success of the evening highlighted the Team Sydney collaborative approach to hosting global meetings in the city. The 10th Anniversary Ambassador Dinner was supported by event partners ICC Sydney and First State Super.
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About BESydney
Since 1969 BESydney has been Sydney’s strategic bidding organisation responsible for attracting global meetings to the city: local experts with remarkable connections, growing Australia’s international reputation as one of the world’s most business and tech-friendly hosts. Financially supported and backed by the NSW Government and the private sector, it is a not-for-profit company with a focus on value creation. BESydney was recently named the 2019 ABA100 Winner for business innovation in The Australian Business Awards.
