29 May 2012
RMIT recognises finance and business leader
RMIT University presented Terrence Francis with an Honorary Doctorate, its highest accolade and honour, at a ceremony in Melbourne.
The business leader was awarded a Doctor of Business Honoris Causa for his notable record of experience and achievement in business over more than 30 years, including 20 years in corporate banking.
Dr Francis' career started in infrastructure and mine engineering. After, after some 10 years he commenced work in mine financing in the US, subsequently he returned to Australia and was involved in a number of significant corporate finance initiatives, including the introduction of American project financing techniques to mining and petroleum projects in Australia and South East Asia.
He worked with Bank of America for 10 years, as Deputy Managing Director then Senior Vice-President and Australian Country Manager, and from 1988 to 1993 he was Director and Joint Head of Deutsche Bank Australia.
Dr Francis has also been involved in several major government-related projects through membership of different boards, including as a long-standing member of the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority and the Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Authority.
He also chaired the Southern and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority Board, which was established to manage the delivery of the Eastlink project – the largest road project undertaken in Australia at the time of its delivery.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said that Dr Francis had demonstrated a passionate and continuing commitment to improving the quality of people's lives, and by extension, the community at large.
"Dr Francis also served as a member of the RMIT Council for seven years, joining at a difficult time in 2003 and leaving in 2010 at a time where RMIT's financial position was strong," Professor Gardner said.
Dr Francis said that it was an exceptional honour to receive this award from this great university.
"One of the most fortunate events in my working life was the period I spent as a Council member of RMIT – I sincerely thank RMIT for this great honour," Dr Francis said.
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