Bond, Alan (1938-2015), was a wealthy British-born Australian businessman and entrepreneur. In 1983, he headed the successful Australia II syndicate that became the first international challenger to win the America’s Cup yacht race. Bond was later imprisoned for corporate fraud in one of the biggest corporate collapses in Australian history.
Bond was born in London on April 22, 1938. He was educated in England and Australia. He began his career as an apprentice sign painter in Australia in the early 1950’s.
Bond formed his first company in 1957. Two years later, he became chairman of Bond Corporation Holdings. The company initially made money in real estate development and later expanded into brewing, mining, and media. In 1974 and 1977, he helped finance the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s entry into the America’s Cup yacht race. In 1978, he was named Australian of the Year. Bond was hailed as a hero for his part in Australia II’s historic win of the America’s cup, which had been held by the New York Yacht Club since the 1850’s. In 1989, Bond founded Australia’s first private university, Bond University, now one of Australia’s leading universities.
In the late 1980’s, Bond’s company experienced severe financial difficulties. Bond resigned as executive chairman in 1990 and was declared bankrupt in 1992. He later served several years in prison on fraud charges. He was released in 2000. Bond then built a fortune in oil, diamonds, and other ventures. He died in a Perth hospital on June 5, 2015, of complications following heart surgery.
