Ronald Rowland AM

Ronald J. Rowland served as the Group Managing Director and CEO of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries from October 1978 until December 2000. Ron is the past Global Chairman of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers, on which he has served 12 years and is the immediate past chairman.
Over a 22-year time frame, Ron changed API Ltd from a low profit co-operative into a dynamic and successful publicly listed company, with current sales exceeding $1.5 billion per annum. During this time profits rose 4000% plus! He achieved this through creating a corporate culture where company employees realise that they play a vital role in serving the health needs of their fellow Australians through the efficient distribution nationally of important pharmaceutical products. They feel genuine pride in doing their job and know that they are in the business of "saving lives and easing suffering".

In January 1999, Ron was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia by Her Majesty the Queen for services to the pharmaceutical industry and to the community. That same year in May, Ronald was ranked among the 'Best CEO's in Australia'.

2001 saw Ron listed with eight other CEO's in the Bulletin Honour Role in November and accepting the Distinguished Medallion Award by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Mr Rowland has been rated in the Top 20 CEO's in Australia by the Financial Review, based on "return on investment over a 5 year period"

Prior to joining API in 1978, Ron had served as CEO of Burns Philip South Sea Ltd, a conglomerate; as CEO of Fitzpatrick Far East Ltd., a Malaysia food supplier; and as divisional manager of Woolworths Ltd, in charge of supermarkets and department stores.

Ronald Rowland is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an international conference speaker. He is a very knowledgeable speaker on business issues.