James Bolton Leslie AC MC (27 November 1922–28 May 2012) was the first Australian managing director of Mobil Oil Australia, was chairman of Qantas for 10 years and was chancellor of Deakin University.[1][2][3][4][5]

Born 27 November 1922 in Melbourne, he grew up in country Victoria, moving back to Melbourne for high school. During World War II he served in New Guinea where he was mentioned in despatches[6] and earned a Military Cross.[2] After the war he joined Mobil Oil Australia where in 1971 he became the first Australian to be appointed as managing director. In 1979 he left Mobil and became chairman of Qantas, a position he held for 10 years under both Liberal and Labor governments. In 1987, he was appointed chancellor of Deakin University and eventually received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.[1]

Leslie was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1984[7] and elevated to Companion in 1993.[8]

He died on 28 May 2012.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Jim Leslie 1922-2012 : A business leader with soul". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 Military Cross, 10 January 1946, It's an Honour, "AMF - South West Pacific"
  3. ↑ Officer of the Order of Australia, 11 June 1984, It's an Honour
  4. ↑ Companion of the Order of Australia, 26 January 1993, It's an Honour, "For service to the aviation industry and to community and cultural affairs".
  5. ↑ James Bolton Leslie, East Melbourne Historical Society, emhs.org.au
  6. ↑ Mention in despatches, 19 July 1945, www.awm.gov.au
  7. ↑ "James Bolton LESLIE, MC". Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  8. ↑ "James Bolton LESLIE, AO, MC". Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  9. ↑ "Born leader won wide respect". 7 November 2012.
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