The Chancellor
Mr John M Cassidy, AO
BSc(CivEng)(N'cle(NSW)), FIE(Aust)
Mr John Marcus Cassidy, was elected to the office of Chancellor of the University of New England, for a period of five years, on 11 December 2003.
Mr Cassidy has a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Newcastle, and has extensive experience in the mining and construction industries throughout Australia and South East Asia. He lived and worked in Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka from 1975 until his return to Australia in 1985.
John Cassidy brings to the role of Chancellor, considerable expertise in corporate governance and management.
He retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Abigroup Limited in February 2004. His tenure as Chairman and CEO of Abigroup saw the company expand, diversifying its civil engineering and construction operations into other related business activities such as the roll out of fibre optic cables, gas installations and operation and maintenance of water treatment plants, buildings, roads, catering and venue management and major infrastructure works such as the M2 Hills Motorway, Sydney SuperDome and the M7 Westlink Motorway in Sydney.
Mr Cassidy was also a Director of the Hills Motorway Limited and Tollaust Pty Limited from 1994 to 2004, Sydney SuperDome Pty Limited from 1997 to 2004, and Bilfinger Berger Australia Pty Ltd from 2004 to mid-2005.
Mr Cassidy has had a deep involvement in the development of NECOM (the New England Conservatorium of Music) and has over the years, provided support for the University's research efforts in a number of areas. His support for research is also evident from his membership as a Life Governor of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute from April 2000.
John and his wife, Annette, also have extensive agricultural interests in the New England region. He is a past President of the South Devon Cattle Breeders Association and is a Vice-President of the South Devon Cattle World Congress, Canada 2007.