Ross Adler

Norman Ross Adler (13 December 1944 – 30 July 2025) was an Australian business executive and managing director of Santos from 1986 to 2000. He also chaired the board of Austrade from 2001 to 2006.

Background Adler was born on 13 December 1944. He went to the University of Melbourne and graduated with Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in 1966.

Career In 1975 Adler became Managing Director of Brown and Dureau Ltd a company that had been associated with the Adler family for many years. When the company was purchased by APM Ltd in 1980 Adler became Managing Director of APM. After a major restructure of APM Ltd Adler joined Santos Ltd as Managing Director in 1985 where he spent the next 15 years until his retirement in 2000. In 1990, Adler was made director of the Commonwealth Bank, after holding various management positions in other companies for fifteen years. He left the position in 2004. Adler later became the Director of Telstra between 1996 and 2001. In this period, Adler also became the Chairman and CEO of Amtrade International Pty Ltd from 2001 to 2005 After this, he had a short stint as the Chairman of the Adelaide Festival in 2006/2007 and was also the Deputy Chancellor of the University of Adelaide from 2007–2009. For a couple of years in 2007/2008, Adler was the Chairman of both the Port Adelaide Maritime Corporation and the Defence SA Advisory Board. From 2008, Adler held senior board positions at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and the University of Adelaide in the university's Management Advisory Committee and Alumni Association. For service to business and commerce, particularly through the promotion of international trade and as a contributor to company and commercialisation development in Australia, to the community through administrative roles with educational institutions, and as a supporter of the arts. Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 26 January 1999 For service to business and commerce, to the promotion of the arts in South Australia, and to the community. Centenary Medal, 1 January 2001 For outstanding service to Australia's international trade