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Peter Ryan

Peter Ryan was the top British police chief who arrived in Australia in 1996, with the toughest job in the country; to reform the NSW police service - considered to be one of the most corrupt in the world.

Over the six years Peter served as NSW Police Commissioner, he faced enormous challenges. In Britain he had faced an IRA bomb, worked undercover to defeat terrorism, tackled armed attackers empty handed, run massive police forces and taken over training of all police officers in the UK, but even these trials were nothing compared to his time in Australia. As Police Commissioner he was faced with the mission of trying to encourage cultural change in an institution almost fanatically opposed to change, and to modernise a police force suffering rock bottom morale and a complete lack of public confidence. In addition his main task was to devise strategies to fight the relentless rise of crime, gun ownership and drug use and abuse. In his spare time he managed to organise security for the 2000 Olympics, acclaimed as the "best ever" in the world.

An acknowledged expert in counter terrorism, since stepping down as NSW Police Commissioner Peter has travelled the world to advise on security, and working with the world's top intelligence agencies. He has also been the chief advisor to the organisers of Athens' 2004 Olympic Games and has been appointed an official advisor to the IOC advising on security for all future events.

Peter's autobiography Peter Ryan: The Inside Story was released in 2002 remaining in the best seller lists for weeks. He is an incredibly engaging, witty and warm speaker who can talk on a wide range of subjects including defeating the threat of terrorism; change management in large organisations; the Olympic movement and the future safety of Australia.