In 1903 Harold Darling started work in the family milling and grain business, John Darling and Son. Eleven years later, at the age of 29, Darling assumed his father’s seat on the board of BHP and remained a director until his death.
As Chairman of BHP (for 27 years from 1923), Harold Darling was one of the most influential men in Australia. With Essington Lewis, Managing Director and a St Peter’s College old scholar, Darling oversaw the restructuring and expansion of BHP and prepared for the demands impending war would make on the company.
As an advisor to the Commonwealth Government, he proposed the establishment of Whyalla as a ship building centre. He was also founding chairman of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and served as a director of a range of Australia’s leading companies.