Richard White (businessman)

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Richard White
BornDecember 1954 (age 70) [1]
Sydney, Australia
Alma mater University of Technology Sydney
OccupationExecutive chair of WiseTech [2]
Known forCo-founding WiseTech
Board member ofWiseTech
Spouse(s)
  • Barbara Mason
    ​
    (div. 2015)​
    [3]
  • Zena Nasser
    ​
    (m. 2024)​
Website www.wisetechglobal.com

Richard White (born December, 1954) is the Australian billionaire executive chair, co-founder, and former CEO of WiseTech Global, an Australian technology company specialising in transport logistics.

Contents

He stepped down as CEO amid allegations of sexual and corporate misconduct in October 2024, but continues to chair the board.

Early life and career

White was born in Sydney in 1954, and grew up in the suburb of Bexley. His father ran an engineering business, his mother sold cookware through house parties and as a youth he washed dishes for his grandparents wedding reception business. [4]

He worked as a musician in a band called Jade [5] and refrigeration mechanic, later starting a small business repairing guitars called Rock Repairs. [6] [7] He taught himself electronics and programming when he started building lighting systems for bands. [4]

Education

He graduated Sydney Technical High School in 1972 [4] and completed a master's degree in IT management in 2002. [7]

WiseTech

White co-founded WiseTech (then Eagle Developments International) with Maree Isaacs in 1994, having worked together previously. [8] [4]

The company became established in the Australian logistics industry by 2000, and expanded into the US market in 2006 under the name CargoWise. [7] They changed the name to WiseTech in 2011. It was listed on the ASX in 2016. [9]

Sexual harassment and bullying allegations

In 2024 White was involved in a bankruptcy case with Linda Rogan, who alleged he expected sex in return for investing in her business. During the course of the relationship he bought her a Vaucluse home, before locking her out when his then partner Zena Nasser found out about it, leaving Rogan out of pocket for the furnishing. [6] [10] In the following weeks multiple other women alleged he traded business advice for sex, often approaching them over LinkedIn. [3] Additionally, it was revealed that had a sexual relationship with an employee and bought her a "Lane Cove mansion", [11] and an outgoing director accused him of "sustained intimidation and bullying". [12] He subsequently stepped down as CEO of WiseTech. [6]

He was later cleared by WiseTech of bullying and intimidation allegations, and remained on as a consultant at his former salary. [13] It was noted by the Australian Financial Review that the "salacious revelations" had little effect on his position and influence. [14]

In February 2025, a Brazilian woman alleged that White gave her financial support and visa assistance in exchange for sexual relationship [15] (settled in April), [16] and three more women, including an employee and contractor, made allegations of inappropriate behaviour against White. [17]

In 2025 he blocked the release of a report into his conduct, and was promoted to executive chairman of the WiseTech board after most of the board resigned. [18] [19]

Other activities

Both White personally and his company invested in Grok Academy, an Australian technology education company led by James Curran, with the aim of providing free technology education to students, and encouraging other Australian technology companies to act similarly. [20] Grok Academy was acquired by KIK Innovation in 2024 after substantiated harassment allegations against the CEO led to its collapse. [21]

White also began an earn-and-learn program which paid students to work at WiseTech while completing a degree. [22]

Personal life

White lives in a mansion on a compound in Bexley based on the grounds of the house he grew up in. His mother, children and some old school friends [23] live in separate houses on the site, which is energy-independent through a 100kW solar system and a 235kWh Tesla battery. [24]

White was married to Barbara Mason until their 2015 divorce. [3]

White married former criminal lawyer Zena Nasser in 2024 in the United States, and they have a child via surrogacy. [25]

Net worth

In 2018, Forbes listed White among Australia's 50 richest people with an estimated net worth of over A$1  billion. [26] By January 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$9.2 billion; [27] and his net worth was assessed on the Financial Review 2025 Rich List at A$10.59 billion. [28]

Year Financial Review
Rich List 		Forbes
Australia's 50 Richest 		Sunday Times
Rich List
Rank Net worth (A$)Rank Net worth (US$)Rank Net worth (£)
2016 [29] 87Increase2.svg$657 million Increase2.svg
2017 [30] 68Increase2.svg$882 million Increase2.svg
2018 [31] [26] 44Increase2.svg$1.66 billion Increase2.svg32Increase2.svgc. $1.0 billion Increase2.svg
2019 [32] [33] 20Increase2.svg$3.31 billion Increase2.svg17Increase2.svg$2.2 billion Increase2.svg
2020 [34] 20Steady2.svg$4.10 billion Increase2.svg
2021 [35] 19Increase2.svg$4.7 billion Increase2.svg
2022 [36] 14Increase2.svg$6.33 billion Increase2.svg
2023 [37] [38] 11Increase2.svg$9.11 billion Increase2.svg10Increase2.svg$5.4 billion Increase2.svg
2024 [39] [40] 11Steady2.svg$11.63 billion Increase2.svg11Decrease2.svg$6.3 billion Increase2.svg
2025 [28] [41] 15Decrease2.svg$10.59 billion Decrease2.svg7Increase2.svg$9.2 billion Increase2.svg
Legend
Icon Description
Steady2.svgHas not changed from the previous year
Increase2.svgHas increased from the previous year
Decrease2.svgHas decreased from the previous year

References

  1. ↑ Sprague, Julie-anne (17 June 2024). "The Rich Lister who avoids risk at all costs". AFR. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  2. ↑ Ainsworth, Kate; Chalmers, Stephanie (27 February 2025). "What is the WiseTech scandal engulfing the software giant, and who is Richard White?". ABC. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 McKenzie, Nick; McClymont, Kate; Mason, Max (21 October 2024). "'The LinkedIn Lecher': Billionaire's controversial approaches, board concerns revealed". The Age. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Whittaker, Mark (11 June 2023). "From mechanic to a $10 billion fortune: Inside Richard White's rise to the top". Forbes. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  5. ↑ Sprague, Julie-anne (17 June 2024). "The Rich Lister who avoids risk at all costs". AFR. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Doherty, Ben (24 October 2024). "WiseTech Global billionaire CEO Richard White steps down as company rocked by allegations of secret affairs". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 Smith, Michael (12 December 2015). "From AC/DC to the ASX: Richard White is no ordinary tech tycoon". AFR. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  8. ↑ "WiseTech co-founder Maree Isaacs is one of only three women on Rich Bosses list". AFR. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Wisetech Global Limited (ASX: WTC) - Float & IPO Details". Intelligent Investor. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Billionaire Richard White steps down as CEO of WiseTech Global, effective immediately". ABC. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  11. ↑ McClymont, Kate; Mason, Max; McKenzie, Nick (23 October 2024). "Billionaire Richard White had a relationship with an employee and gave her a $7 million mansion". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  12. ↑ McKenzie, Nick; Mason, Max; McClymont, Kate (24 October 2024). "WiseTech director's scathing assessment of 'bully' Richard White". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  13. ↑ Barrett, Jonothan (22 November 2024). "WiseTech's billionaire founder Richard White cleared of allegations by company review". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  14. ↑ Thompson, James (24 October 2024). "WiseTech's Richard White 'fix' just creates another problem". AFR. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  15. ↑ McClymont, Kate; Mason, Max (15 February 2025). "WiseTech founder accused of helping employee for sexual favours". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  16. ↑ McClymont, Kate; Mason, Max (28 April 2025). "WiseTech billionaire Richard White reaches settlement with third woman". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  17. ↑ Mason, Max; Bennett, Tess (24 February 2025). "WiseTech investors split as board quits en masse over Richard White". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  18. ↑ Mason, Max (25 February 2025). "'I am WiseTech': How Richard White regained control of his company". AFR. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  19. ↑ Johnston, Eric (19 March 2025). "WiseTech scandal: Richard White is now untouchable" . The Australian. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  20. ↑ Kitney, Damon (4 October 2022). "WiseTech founder Richard White issues funding challenge to fellow tech entrepreneurs". The Australian. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  21. ↑ Swan, David (16 December 2024). "Grok Academy finds new home after disgraced CEO's exit". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  22. ↑ Lynch, Jared (5 March 2024). "WiseTech billionaire offers students $300k to complete a degree". The Australian. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  23. ↑ McClymont, Kate; Mason, Max (3 July 2025). "The tech billionaire, the beautician and the backlash". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  24. ↑ Durkin, Patrick (16 September 2022). "Inside tech billionaire Richard White's self-powered Sydney mansion". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  25. ↑ Mason, Max; McClymont, Kate; McKenzie, Nick (5 December 2024). "Curious deals of billionaire Richard White and his wife Zena Nasser". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  26. 1 2 Froelicher, Christian (23 January 2018). "Rich and counting: Australia's 33 billionaires". SBS. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  27. ↑ "Richard White". Forbes: Australia's billionaires. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  28. 1 2 Redrup, Yolanda (30 May 2025). "Australia's wealthiest 200 revealed, fortunes blow past $667b" . Australian Financial Review . Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  29. ↑ Stensholt, John, ed. (29 May 2016). "BRW Rich 200 List 2016". Australian Financial Review . Australia. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  30. ↑ Stensholt, John, ed. (25 May 2017). "Financial Review Rich List 2017" . Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  31. ↑ Stensholt, John, ed. (25 May 2018). "2018 AFR Rich List: Who are Australia's richest people?". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  32. ↑ Bailey, Michael (30 May 2019). "Australia's 200 richest people revealed". The Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  33. ↑ "Gina Rinehart Retains Top Spot On 2019 Forbes Australia Rich List". Forbes . 16 January 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  34. ↑ Bailey, Michael; Sprague, Julie-anne (30 October 2020). "The full list: Australia's wealthiest 200 revealed" . Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  35. ↑ Bailey, Michael; Sprague, Julie-anne (27 May 2021). "The 200 richest people in Australia revealed". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  36. ↑ "Total Rich List wealth soars past half a trillion dollars". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  37. ↑ Bailey, Michael; Sprague, Julie-anne (26 May 2023). "The 200 richest people in Australia revealed". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  38. ↑ Karmali, Naazneen; Lindsay, Nicole. "Australia's 50 Richest 2023" . Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  39. ↑ "The 200 richest people in Australia revealed". Australian Financial Review . Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  40. ↑ Karmali, Naazneen. "Australia's 50 Richest 2024". Forbes.
  41. ↑ Karmali, Naazneen. "Australia's 50 Richest 2025". Forbes.
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