Stephen Gerlach

Background

Stephen Gerlach was born in Australia in 1945. He developed his professional career in South Australia, where he became associated with Adelaide's legal, corporate and community institutions.

Education

Gerlach studied law at the University of Adelaide and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1967. His legal education preceded a 23-year career as a partner of Finlaysons and provided the foundation for his later work as a company director and corporate adviser.

Career

Gerlach worked at the Adelaide legal firm Finlaysons for 23 years and became a partner and later its Managing Partner, serving in that role from 1985 to 1991. After leaving private legal practice, he developed a career as a company director and corporate adviser, serving on the boards of Australian and international public companies and chairing a number of prominent organisations. He was a director of Santos for more than 20 years and chaired the company from 2001 to 2009. He also chaired Elders Australia and its listed holding company Futuris Corporation, as well as Equatorial Mining, Challenger Listed Investments, Amdel and Penrice, and served as a director of Southcorp Holdings, Elders Rural Bank, Brunner Mond Holdings in the United Kingdom, and other companies in Australia, the United States and Chile. Gerlach was appointed Chancellor of Flinders University in 2010 and served until 30 September 2023, becoming the university's longest-serving chancellor. He has also chaired or directed private and public investment and development organisations, including Adelaide Capital Partners, Gerlach Asset Development, Ebony Energy and Beston-related companies.

Achievements

• Served as Managing Partner of Finlaysons from 1985 to 1991 after a 23-year career with the Adelaide legal firm.

• Chaired Santos Limited from 2001 to 2009 after more than 20 years as a director.

• Chaired or led major Australian companies and organisations including Elders, Futuris, Equatorial Mining, Challenger Listed Investments, Amdel, Penrice and Southcorp-related boards.

• Served as Chancellor of Flinders University from 2010 to 2023, including almost 14 years of leadership of the university's governing council.

• Served as the inaugural Chairman of Foodbank South Australia and contributed to national food-relief and community-welfare organisations.

Membership

Gerlach has participated in professional, charitable and community organisations in South Australia and nationally. His documented roles include membership of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, involvement with its Corporate Governance Committee, trusteeship of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and the General Sir John Monash Foundation, and leadership of Foodbank South Australia, Foodbank Australia, the Australian Red Cross in South Australia and Psychosis Australia Trust.

• Member and later Distinguished Fellow; also associated with the institute's Corporate Governance Committee.

  Australian Institute of Company Directors , Australia

• Trustee.

  Australian Cancer Research Foundation , Australia

• Trustee.

  General Sir John Monash Foundation , Australia

• Inaugural Chairman.

  Foodbank South Australia , Australia

  1999 - 2014

• Director.

  Foodbank Australia , Australia

• Former Chairman.

  Australian Red Cross Society in South Australia , Australia

• Chairman.

  Psychosis Australia Trust , Australia

Personality

Gerlach has been publicly described in connection with his university leadership as an advocate for ambitious institutional development, strategic thinking and strong governance.

Quotes from others about the person

• At his retirement as Chancellor, the Governor of South Australia described Gerlach as an advocate for Flinders University who brought strategic vision and a strong work ethic to the leadership of its governing council.

Connections

Gerlach's professional and public work has connected legal practice with corporate governance, higher education and community service. His long association with Finlaysons led to board and chairmanship roles in major South Australian companies, while his service as Chancellor connected his corporate experience with the governance and development of Flinders University.

References

• Flinders University: Former officers of the University Documents Stephen Gerlach AM's Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide and his service as Chancellor of Flinders University from 2010 to 2023.
  2025
• Flinders University appoints new Chancellor Documents Gerlach's appointment as Chancellor, his 23-year partnership at Finlaysons, his Managing Partner service from 1985 to 1991, company chairmanships and community leadership roles.
  2010
• A chance to reflect Profiles Gerlach's career as a lawyer, Managing Partner of Finlaysons, company director and chairman, and his 13-year tenure as Flinders University Chancellor.
  2023
• Farewell to Chancellor of Flinders University Mr Stephen Gerlach Records the Governor of South Australia's tribute to Gerlach's service as Chancellor and his leadership in South Australian business and community organisations.
  2023
• Past King's Birthday Honours 2024 Identifies Stephen Gerlach AM as a University of Adelaide Bachelor of Laws graduate of 1967 and records the citation for his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia.
  2024