John Colvin, (BEc (Hons) (Syd)MSc (Econ) (LSE) MA (Law) (Oxon) FAICD, was a Can Assist director for 22 years, from 1990 to 2012. He served as Vice President from 1991 and President from 2008 to 2012. Following his retirement from the board, John accepted Can Assist’s invitation to be Patron.

He was a partner at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills for many years before being appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2008. We acknowledge John’s enormous contribution to Can Assist over many years and thank him for his enduring commitment as Patron. Can Assist conferred an Honorary Life Membership on John at the Annual General Meeting in 2017.

John’s mother, the late Jean Colvin, remains a profound part of Can Assist. She was one of the founding members of the society, creator of Can Assist Orange Branch and namesake of The Jean Colvin Hospital, The Jean Colvin Cancer Centre and The Jean Colvin Cancer Fund.