The majority of Barry Ford’s career was spent with the General Motors Corporation in Australia and North America. He held various positions including director of financial analysis and planning for General Motors Overseas Operations in Detroit. In Australia, he was treasurer and later as director of finance and strategic planning for General Motors Holden. During the 1990s, Mr Ford was director of finance and chief financial officer of Goodman Fielder, chief financial officer of Southcorp Holdings, and finance director of Pratt Industries. Mr Ford has also held board positions with the National Heart Foundation (VIC) and the Australian Red Cross (NSW Division).