David Trebeck

David Trebeck, Board Chair of The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (since 2016) , has maintained a close connection with the organisation since receiving a Churchill Fellowship in 1974 to study the global shipping industry and the processing of Australia’s rural exports overseas.

With a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Masters of Economics David worked with the Australian Woolgrowers and Graziers Council which was absorbed into the National Farmers Federation (NFF) in 1979. His family had been involved with the wool industry for over a century, so primary production was in his blood. 

David’s three months Fellowship involved research in Japan, the UK and western Europe, particularly Scandinavia; a major shipping region. He credits the Trust for setting him on his future course.

Thirty years later David was appointed Non-Executive Director of the Australian subsidiary of AP MøllerMaersk, the world’s largest shipping company. He was also a Commissioner of the National Water Commission. and a Non-Executive Director of several public companies.

Prior to this, David served as Deputy Director of NFF for four years and was a Director of the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation.

In 1983, David co-founded ACIL, which provided economic and policy consultancy. His focus was for agriculture and agribusiness, transport, fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, the financial sector and trade policy. David’s wide business experience spans the farming of oysters, winemaking, broadacre agricultural production, grain marketing and processing, and to helping not-for-profits such as ACT Brumbies Rugby, Canberra Grammar School, the National Arboretum and the Institute of Company Directors

David was a member of the Trust’s ACT Selection Committee 2002-16. In this role and as National Chair, he has enjoyed a close-up view of the extraordinary diversity of Churchill Fellows and their projects.