Sir Eric Neal trained as an engineer at the South Australian School of Mines. He then spent a major part of his career at Boral Ltd, and was Chief Executive from 1974 to 1987. His many directorships include Westpac (where he was Chairman of the Board from 1989 to 1992), BHP, Coca-Cola Amatil, Wormald, John Fairfax, and Atlas Copco. He has chaired various government advisory bodies and served as National Chairman, Duke of Edinburgh's Award (1984-92), President of the Order of Australia Association (1989-92), Chair of the Opera Foundation (1990-96). He was Chief Commissioner of the City of Sydney in 1987-88 and a member of the Senate of the University of Sydney. He has honorary doctorates from the University of Sydney and the University of South Australia.
