and the premier had "a long standing and very successful relationship" and that they both knew in what spirit the remarks had been made. He added that he had no indication that the premier had been offended. Business career Coates is currently chairman of William Inglis & Son Ltd, a bloodstock auction and financial services company; a member of Grant Samuel Advisory Board, a member of the European Australian Business Council and member of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority board. He is a former deputy chairman and non-executive director of David Jones Limited; and former partner in the Sydney law firm of Kemp Strang. He is a former director of the Australian subsidiaries of Grosvenor Group Limited, a property development company privately owned by the Duke of Westminster. He has previously served on the boards of several state and federal statutory bodies, charities and companies, including, from just after the 2000 Olympic Games, the Australian subsidiary of the public relations company Burson-Marsteller. Honours and awards Coates was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2006. He had previously been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1995. In 2001 he was awarded an Australian Sports Medal. In 1993 Coates was made a life member of Rowing Australia, an honour bestowed only on five others. He is an honorary life member of Sydney Rowing Club. In December 1993 he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. In 2003 Coates became the fourth Australian to present the prizes at the conclusion of the annual Henley Regatta. Usually this honour is reserved for royalty, diplomats or a leading politician. He was the first person to present the Princess Grace Challenge Cup. In 2000 he was awarded the Olympic Order in Gold and the FISA Medal of Honour. References External links Media Notes Governor General of Australia Award Pages 1950 births Lawyers from Sydney International Olympic Committee members Australian International Olympic Committee members Australian Olympic Committee administrators Companions of the Order of Australia Recipients of the Olympic Order Living people Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal University of Sydney alumni