Former Australian War Memorial director Brendan Nelson has been named president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.

Dr Nelson, who is also a former federal defence minister, will begin the role next month in Sydney.

“It is an honour to join a global company like Boeing whose proud legacy here in Australia dates back more than 90 years to the earliest days of Australian aircraft manufacturing,” Dr Nelson said in a statement on Monday.

Dr Nelson retired from his AWM position last year after seven years in the role, which has been filled by defence veteran Matt Anderson.

Dr Nelson will become chairman of Boeing Australia’s board as well as the senior leader for about 4000 employees.

Boeing is a regular donor to the AWM and one of its corporate partners.

-AAP