# Richard White (businessman)

Richard White (born April 1, 1955) is the billionaire executive chair, co-founder, and former CEO of WiseTech Global, an Australian technology company specialising in transport logistics.

## Early life and career

White was born in Sydney in 1955, 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.
He worked as a musician in a band called Jade and refrigeration mechanic, later standing a small business repairing guitars called Rock Repairs. He taught himself electronics and programming when he started building lighting systems for bands.

## Education

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

## WiseTech

White co-founded WiseTech (then Eagle Developments International) with Maree Isaacs in 1994, having worked together previously.
The company became established in the Australian logistics industry by 2000, and expanded into the US market in 2006 under the name CargoWise. They changed the name to WiseTech in 2011. It was listed on the ASX in 2016.

### 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. In the following weeks multiple other women alleged he traded business advice for sex, often approaching them over LinkedIn. Additionally, it was revealed that had a sexual relationship with an employee and bought her a "Lane Cove mansion", and an outgoing director accused him of "sustained intimidation and bullying". He subsequently stepped down as CEO of WiseTech.
He was later cleared by WiseTech of bullying and intimidation allegations, and remained on as a consultant at his former salary. It was noted by the Australian Financial Review that the "salacious revelations" had little effect on his position and influence.
In February 2025, a Brazilian woman alleged that White gave her financial support and visa assistance in exchange for sexual relationship, and three more women, including an employee and contractor, made allegations of inappropriate behaviour against White.
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.

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

## 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 live in separate houses on the site, which is energy-independent through a 100kW solar system and a 235kWh Tesla battery.
White was married to Barbara Mason until their 2015 divorce.
White married former criminal lawyer Zena Nasser in 2024 in the United States, and they have a child via surrogacy.

## Net worth

In 2017, Forbes listed him among Australia's 50 richest people with an estimated net worth of over A$1 billion. By January 2025, the Forbes estimated his net worth at US$9.2 billion; and the AFR at A$11.62 billion.
| Year | AFR Rich List | AFR Rich List | Forbes Australia's 50 Richest | Forbes Australia's 50 Richest | Sunday Times Rich List | Sunday Times Rich List |
| Year | Rank | Net worth (A$) | Rank | Net worth (US$) | Rank | Net worth (£) |
| 2016 | 87 | $657 million | | | | |
| 2017 | 68 | $882 million | | | | |
| 2018 | 44 | $1.66 billion | 32 | | | |
| 2019 | 20 | $3.31 billion | 17 | $USD2.2 billion | | |
| 2020 | 20 | $4.10 billion | | | | |
| 2021 | 19 | $4.7 billion | | | | |
| 2022 | 14 | $6.33 billion | | | | |
| 2023 | 11 | $9.11 billion | 10 | $USD5.4 billion | | |
| 2024 | 11 | $11.63 billion | 11 | $USD6.3 billion | | |
| 2025 | | | 7 | $USD10.1 billion | | |
Legend :
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