Australia appoints investment adviser Ashok Jacob as AIC chair

MELBOURNE: Australia has appointed prominent investment adviser Ashok Jacob as the Chair of Australia-India Council.

Jacob's appointment would be effective from this year till 2019. His impressive business record and extensive contacts in both countries would assist in strengthening Australia's relationship with India, an official statement said.

AIC was established in 1992 to promote people-to-people and institutional links between the two countries with a focus on education, science and technology, sport, public policy, heritage and arts sectors.

Jacob is Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Ellerston Capital and also a director of Crown Ltd, Consolidated Press Holdings, Visy Australia, Thorney Opportunities Ltd, MRF Ltd (Chennai) and Malayala Manorama Newspaper Group (Kottayam).

Jacob's appointment was announced by the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.