Geoffrey Thomas

Geoffrey Alan Thomas is an Australian-born international businessman with interests in Australia, the United States, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Business interests and ventures

Current business activities

Thomas has numerous business interests that span multiple continents. Within Australia, Thomas is the sole owner of Maleny Manor, a noted ceremony and reception venue in Queensland; Rancho del Cielo, a special events venue; Settlers Rise Vineyard and Winery, an internationally distributed and award-winning Australian wine operated by Peter Scudamore-Smith, Australia's second Master of Wine and recipient of thirty-seven wine awards; and Carbrook Nursery, a business that specialises in growing drought tolerant plants for the commercial industry.

Past business activities

His past business ventures have included numerous owner and executive chairman positions in the finance industry, including Capitalcorp Financial Services, Australian Capital Home Loans, Capitalcorp Finance and Leasing, and Austcorp Finance and Leasing.

Public sector, non-profit, and volunteer work

Thomas has held a number of government, non-profit, and political positions throughout his professional career.

Queensland trade and investment policy review

On 1 November 2012, Tim Nicholls, the Minister for Trade for Queensland, Australia announced that Thomas would undertake a comprehensive review of Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), an office of the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. Premier Campbell Newman identified the TIQ review as among the Queensland Government's "top priorities" within a series of ministerial "to-do" lists released on 23 November 2012. Thomas forwent a salary or financial compensation for this appointment.

The recommendations of the review were adopted by Government, and on 22 October 2013, Nichols announced Cabinet approval for the appointment of six members of the newly created TIQ board, including Thomas as its deputy chairman. In this capacity, he operated as an emissary on behalf of the Premier, representing Queensland's interests abroad. He has continued to stay involved in international trade and economic policy. Thomas received recognition by the Texas government for his diplomatic efforts. In 1995 and 2000, he was designated an honorary Texan by then Texas Governor George W. Bush.

Awards Thomas was created an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours.