PETER Jollie AM FCA FAICD passed away suddenly at his property at Oberon, west of the Blue Mountains, on 8 December 2018. He was 78. Peter had extensive experience in the Australian shipping and logistics industry.
He was chairman and CEO of P&O Containers Australia between 1988 and 1996, a director of P&O Australia 1987-1997 and a director of Australian Water Services (a P&O subsidiary) from 1991 until 1997. Peter was also a director of P&O Containers Ltd (UK) 1992-1996.
Peter was born in the United Kingdom. Prior to coming to Australia to join Overseas Containers Australia Ltd (OCAL) as finance manager in the 1970s, he had been active in business in Africa. Some of his appointments were as managing partner with Peat Marwick Ghana, 1968-1971, and manager of the same company in Nigeria 1964-1967.
During his time with OCAL and the P&O Group, Peter was an active member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and was NSW chairman in 1988-89 and national president in 1993-94. Following his retirement from the P&O Group, Peter remained active in the Australian business community. One of his treasured appointments was to the Sydney Olympic 2000 bid where he was a member of both the Finance Committee and Communication Committee.
Peter was also a member of the Trade Policy Advisory Committee to the Australian Minister for Trade 1996-2002, chairman of Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (AUSPECC) 1995-1999. He was a Director of Reliance Rail 2010-2016, and chairman of Downer EDI Ltd 2008-2010.
Peter held several appointments at the time of his passing. He was a director of Clinical Genomics from 2014, of Coleman Grieg Lawyers since 2012, and chairman of the CEO Institute Syndicate since 1999.
Peter Jollie received the Member of the Award of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday list in 2000. The citation reads as follows:
For service to the accounting profession, particularly through the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, to the promotion of Australian trade in the Asia-Pacific region, and to the community.
Peter Jollie was a respected businessman and mentor, not only in the shipping industry but as well in the business community generally. I can do no better than to paraphrase the words of a member of the CEO Institute:
Peter played many roles to many people. Peter had a style all of his own. A calm and thoughtful man, his wise words always carried substance and he will be respected by all that he met.
To Peter’s wife Valisia, his children and grandchildren the shipping and logistics industry extends deepest sympathy.
Vale Peter Jollie.
David Baker is a former executive director of P & O Containers as well as a friend and colleague of Peter Jollie.
