Professor John Willett was Griffith University's foundation Vice Chancellor and was hand-picked by foundation Chancellor, Sir Theodor Bray. Professor Willett had come to Griffith with the experience of having established Business Schools at both Cambridge University (UK) and University of Melbourne (Australia). Apart from being an innovative university administrator, he was also a decorated World War 2 naval pilot, playing a part in the sinking of the German battleship, Bismarck.