Mr Clark is Principal of Clark Capital Partners, a firm based in the United States that advises internationally on technology and the technology market place. He is also a Director of James Hardie Industries.

Previous appointments in technology include: President and Chief Operating Officer of Loral Space and Communications; Executive Committee member of News Corporation and President of News Technology Group; and Vice-Chairman of Knowledge Universe - a US company involved in technology incubation. Earlier, he spent 14 years at IBM including roles as Group Leader of IBM's Research Division and Director of Technology for IBM Australia and New Zealand.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of Tasmania and a PhD in Physics from the Australian National University and is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the American Physical Society, and the New York Explorers Club. Mr Clark was a member of the Australian Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council from 1992 until 1999.

In announcing Mr Clark's appointment, Mr Goode said: "We are delighted to have someone of Mr Clark's calibre and technological background join the Board.

"He brings with him the benefits of international experience and a distinguished career in microelectronics, computing and communications. Mr Clark will especially assist the Board in its deliberations in the area of technology, which is a complex area and one of the major opportunities and challenges facing banking in the 21 st Century," Mr Goode said.

Mr Clark was born in Tasmania, and is an Australian citizen. He is currently based in the United States but also resides in Sydney.