Chairman since:
2010

Memberships:
National Fellow, Institute of Public Administration
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics

Achievements:
After his initial degree at Cambridge University, Chris Whitaker obtained his PhD in desert geomorphology at the Australian National University.

Following several years as a lecturer, in 1980 Professor Whitaker joined the South Australian public service, where he managed the Environmental Assessment Branch of the Department of Environment and Planning and headed the environmental assessment of the Roxby Downs project.

He joined the Environmental Protection Authority in Western Australia in 1983 and was later appointed Director General of Transport for Western Australia in September 1996. Responsibilities included preparing Westrail Freight for privatisation.

From February 2000 until July 2003 he was the Chief Executive and Managing Director of the Melbourne Port Corporation. He then moved to become Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business) of RMIT University in August 2003, and from August 2004 to April 2005 he was Vice-Chancellor and President of the University. He was also a Trustee of the Sustainable Melbourne Fund.

He relocated to Western Australia in July 2007.

Prior to entering the South Australian public service he was also a professional freelance musician.