Eric Neal

The Honourable Sir Eric Neal AC CVO FTSE HonFAIB CP Eng
Sir Eric Neal in Adelaide (2016)
32nd Governor of South Australia
In office 1996–2001
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Premier	Dean Brown (1996) John Olsen (1996-2001)
Preceded by	Dame Roma Mitchell
Succeeded by	Marjorie Jackson-Nelson
Chief Commissioner of Sydney
In office 1987–1988
Preceded by	Doug Sutherland as Lord Mayor
Succeeded by	Jeremy Bingham as Lord Mayor
Personal details
Born	(1924-06-24) 24 June 1924 (age 92)
Nationality	Australian

Sir Eric James Neal AC CVO FTSE HonFAIB (born 24 June 1924) is a retired Australian businessman and public officer. He is a former Governor of South Australia (1996-2001), Commissioner of Sydney (1987-1988) and Chancellor of Flinders University (2002-2010).

Neal trained as an engineer at the South Australian School of Mines (now part of the University of South Australia), and became a successful businessman. The peak of his career was fourteen years as CEO of Boral. He was also a Director of John Fairfax Holdings, BHP, Coca-Cola Amatil and AMP Limited and Chairperson of Westpac and Atlas Copco Australia Pty Ltd.

In 1984, Neal was listed as one of Australia's 125 best remunerated business executives by Australian Business magazine. In 1992, journalist Andrew Cornell described him as a "tough, frequently businessman." Not withstanding, he oversaw 14 years of consecutive and rising profits for shareholders and history has shown that his views and decisions made whilst on the Westpac Board were correct.

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 (1987-88) and a member of the Senate of the University of Sydney.