Geoff Raby

Dr Geoff Raby was Australia’s Ambassador to China from 2007 to 2011. After 27 years in the public service, he established the advisory firm Geoff Raby and Associates in 2011. Geoff was the Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) from 2002 to 2006. He has held a number of senior positions in DFAT, including First Assistant Secretary, International Organisations and Legal Division (2001-2002), Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation, Geneva (1998-2001), First Assistant Secretary, Trade Negotiations Division (1995-1998), and APEC Ambassador (2002-2004). He was head of the Trade Policy Issues Division in the OECD in Paris during 1993-95. 

Geoff also holds a number of nonexecutive, independent director positions with ASXlisted companies. In China, Dr. Raby serves as CoChair of Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s China practice. He is also a member of the non-for-profit Advance Global Advisory Board; University of Sydney’s China Studies Centre Advisory Board; La Trobe University Asia Advisory Board; and the Foundation of the National Gallery of Victoria. Geoff used to serve as independent director in Fortescue Metal Group. 

In recognition of his contributions to advancing relations between Australia and China, Geoff was made Friendship Ambassador to Shandong Province and an Honorary Citizen of Chengdu City. Geoff is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Asia Society. He holds an Honours Degree in Economics, a Masters in Economics and a PhD from La Trobe University. In 2015, he was part of the consultative committee for the draft of Australia’s National Strategy for International Education.