Leaders of the pack

UNSW alumni, benefactors and advisers dominate The Bulletin magazine's 50 Most Influential in Business list.

UNSW Chancellor and Foundation chairman David Gonski is described as "one of the most well-connected company directors in the country". Mr Gonski is a UNSW alumnus, having completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 1976, and a Bachelor of Laws in 1977.

Westfield founding chairman and chairman of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, Mr Frank Lowy, tops the list as the most influential businessman in Australia. Mr Lowy received an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 1999 and recently donated $10 million to establish the Lowy Cancer Research Centre at UNSW.

Leighton Holdings chief executive officer Wal King is another major benefactor and alumnus to feature in this year's list. Mr King holds a Bachelor of Engineering, a Masters in Engineering Science and an Honorary Doctorate from UNSW. Mr King's close ties with UNSW include advisory roles at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) and the Faculty of Engineering. Leighton Holdings provides a number of scholarships to UNSW Engineering students.

Other prominent alumni to feature on the list include Macquarie Bank executive Nicholas Moore (BCom 1981, LLB 1982) and Walmart board member and former Woolworths CEO Roger Corbett (BCom 1965).

Also featured are several former and current University advisory board members, including the former deputy managing director of Macquarie Bank, Allan Moss, former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank, Glenn Stevens, ANZ CEO John McFarlane, Fairfax Media CEO David Kirk, Suncorp-Metway director Ziggy Switkowski, Commonwealth Bank Chairman John Schubert, IAG CEO Michael Hawker and outgoing Westpac chief executive David Morgan.