| Peter Smedley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 January 1943 Perth, Western Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
Peter Smedley is an Australian businessman and Chairman of Onesteel Limited[1] and Spotless Group Limited.[2]
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Smedley spent much of his early career in the resources industry. He spent over 29 years working for Shell in Australia and around the world, gaining experience in energy and resource industries. He held a number of senior positions including Executive Director of Downstream Oil and Chemicals from 1990 to 1992 and Executive Director of Coal and Metals for Shell Australia Limited from 1986 to 1990 and Area Co-ordinator Central America, Caribbean and South America for Shell International from 1982 to 1986.
From 1992 to 2000 he was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Colonial Group Limited. Colonial was demutualised and listed on the ASX under his leadership. Colonial grew quickly in this period and was ultimately acquired by CBA in 2000.[3]
From 2000 to 2002 he was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mayne Group Limited. Originally a transport business, Mayne diversified into health, pharmaceuticals and other industries. While at Mayne, and against long-standing practice in Australian hospitals, Smedley undertook a ruthless campaign of cost cutting which included the centralisation of the group's hospital management. This resulted in an alienation of the hospitals' primary customers, their specialist doctors, who then referred their patients to other health care providers. The resultant heavy loss of income was a significant factor in Mayne's failure as a hospital provider.[4] Smedley has not had an executive role since this time.
He had a long association with CARE Australia, establishing its Business Council and serving as its Chairman. He subsequently joined the Care Australia Board in 2000 and retired as its Chairman in November 2009.
Smedley also served as a Director with the Australian Mining Industry Council, the Australian Mining Industrial Research Association, Lloyds Register of Shipping, the Alumina Development Council, the Life Insurance Federation of Australia, and the Australian Banker's Association. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Smedley was born on 2 January 1943 in Perth, Western Australia where he completed his secondary education at the Christian Brothers' Aquinas College.
He studied for a Bachelor of Commerce at Western Australia University, and completed an MBA at Melbourne University.