George is a metallurgy graduate from UNSW and has been prominent in the coal industry in Australia and overseas for over 40 years, including having part owned and operated three export coal mines, since establishing his own companies almost 30 years ago. Among his many achievements are leading and participating in four Australian Government Sponsored Coal Missions and being President of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (The AusIMM) in 1995. He was International Chairman of the Coal Preparation Congress from 1973-76. He was awarded the Gold Medal in 2011 by the Mineral Industry Consultants Association (4th awarded since 1982). George is currently Executive Chairman of the Australian Mining Association.

He has held corporate positions up to Chief Executive level and he has been Chairman and Director of both public and private coal companies, in Australia and overseas. His experiences have covered the steel industry, the power industry and all areas of the coal industry (including JORC assessments) as well as trading activities to and from a range of countries. He is the first Senior Foreign Advisor for the China Mining Association.

George has been Chairman of Standards Australia, and had previously chaired their Environment, Materials and Safety Standards Sector Board, covering all minerals. He was Chairman of SAI Global Limited (ASX listed) from listing in 2003 until 2008 and the Energy Council of Australia (from 1993 to 2006) and runs his own trading and consulting businesses, principally through Edwards Global Services Pty Ltd in Australia, serving the coal, minerals, energy (including carbon credits) and other industries worldwide. He’s had over 125 major clients worldwide to date and has authored some 150 talks, articles and presentations in Australia and in 14 countries overseas.