He has headed a wide range of prominent organisations such as Musica Viva Australia, Foxtel, the Australian Film Commission, the Sydney Opera House Trust and News Limited.
His father was managing director of the Greater Union Organisation and recipient of the Australian Film Institute's Raymond Longford Award.
[1] He composed music from an early age and into his 30s[1] and his compositions include: Williams was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, defending himself in court.
[4] His impending imprisonment was averted when the incoming Whitlam Labor government abolished national service in late 1972.
He ran the TV production house Southern Star Group and became a senior executive at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Williams was chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust from 2005,[8] on the invitation of the then Premier of New South Wales Bob Carr,[9] until stepping down in 2013.
[12] Williams was appointed an independent board member of the Australian Copyright Agency Ltd in January 2015 and was its chair from June 2015 to 2021.