Grey will be central to providing strategic advice to Corrs’ clients doing business with or in Japan.

Grey has had a distinguished and extensive career in trade and commercial issues in the Asian region, most recently as CEO of Austrade from March 2010 until his retirement from government in December 2012.

Prior to his role at Austrade, Grey held a number of senior positions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), where he was appointed deputy secretary in 1994. As deputy secretary he had responsibility for a wide range of functions with a particular focus on trade and commercial policy and negotiations, and bilateral political and economic relations with Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Corrs CEO John Denton commented on the appointment: “Peter and current Corrs China expert, Dr Geoff Raby, two of Australia’s most prominent and commercially astute ambassadors in Asia, are now at Corrs to help our clients and drive Australia’s international business engagement.”

“Peter Grey is a senior figure in trade and commercial policy in the Asian region. His deep relationships in north Asia, with APEC and the World Trade Organisation will bring significant benefit to our clients and people by providing a unique offering to strengthen our relationships and facilitate doing business in Japan. We are delighted to welcome him to Corrs.”

In addition to being ambassador to Japan, Grey was Australia’s first ambassador for APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) and also ambassador to the European Union in Brussels, and to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.  Earlier in his career he had worked at the Australian embassies in Tokyo and Washington on trade and commercial policy issues. 

Dr Geoff Raby, co-chair of the Corrs China Group, commented: “Peter Grey’s depth of knowledge, experience and relationships will be an asset to Corrs developing its world-class capabilities. He is well-known and highly regarded in the region, with expertise of the highest calibre.”

Grey said: “I am looking forward to working alongside a team of world-class lawyers. I have been particularly impressed by the clear direction of Corrs.  Their commitment to further developing their engagement with Japan is extremely impressive.”

Grey is on the board of the Asia Society (Australia), the board of the European Australian Business Council and on the executive of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee. He is also a member of the Centre for Strategy and Governance.

He has a Bachelors of Economics (Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Masters of Business Administration from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.