Vale David Baffsky, former Accor Asia Pacific boss and Indigenous Land Corporation director

David Baffsky – who ran Accor Asia Pacific for 15 years and spearheaded the Indigenous Land Corporation’s $320m acquisition of Ayres Rock Resort – has died.

David Baffsky pictured with his wife Helen.

Prominent Sydney businessman and former Accor hotels boss David Baffsky AO has died at his home with his family by his side, aged 81.

Mr Baffsky’s achievements earned him top honours across both hemispheres, including an Order of Australia and a Chevalier in the Order of National Légion d’Honneur of France.

He held a law degree from the University of Sydney and until 1991 was a senior partner at a Sydney legal firm specialising in commercial and fiscal law. In 1993, Mr Baffsky became executive chairman of Accor Asia Pacific – the region’s biggest hotel management company.

He also served on many other boards, including Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Destination NSW, as well as Investa Property Group and ASX-listed investment company Ariadne.

Mr Baffsky’s wife Helen confirmed his death on Sunday.

“It is with deep sadness … that our beloved husband and father, David Baffsky, passed away early this morning, at home, with family by his side,” Mrs Baffsky said.

Friend and former fellow director Ian Ferrier said Mr Baffsky’s business feats were widely acknowledged, but his work serving as a director of the Indigenous Land Corporation was less well known.

David Baffsky pictured in 1993, during his time as head of hotel group Accor. Picture: Tracey Haslam

While Mr Baffsky attracted headlines for spearheading the corporation’s purchase of Ayres Rock Resort – the group of five hotels overlooking Uluru – for $320m a decade ago, Mr Ferrier said he also engineered about 60 other deals for the corporation.

“I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with David in business, and in other things in life, over the last 30-40 years,” Mr Ferrier said.

“He engineered, I’m not exaggerating, 50 or 60 activities for Aboriginal Australians throughout the country, including things such as pastoral activities, cattle stations and areas in hospitality and tourism – all sorts of ventures for Aboriginals where the money was put out by the Indigenous Land Corporation and the management left to the Aboriginals.

“He gave a very large portion of his life in the administration of that, finalised in the end result with the acquisition of the Ayres Rock Resort for the Indigenous Land Corporation, which at the time employed about two Aboriginals.”

Now the Ayres Rock Resort employs more than 250 Indigenous people. While the Indigenous Land Corporation’s purchase of the resort attracted criticism, including from Foreign Minister Penny Wong who – in her capacity as Finance Minister in the Gillard government – advised against the acquisition, it is highlighted as the corporation’s premier projects.

“A highlight for many guests is experiencing the Kulata Academy Café in the Town Square. The busy café is run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees as a training arm of the National Indigenous Training Academy,” the corporation says on its website.

“The Resort showcases local Anangu culture through the increasing Indigenous workforce and the daily suite of Indigenous activities available for guests. These activities offer a comprehensive program allowing guests to interact and engage in Indigenous culture during their stay.”

Mr Baffsky’s funeral will be held on Tuesday at Ohel Hair, Macquarie Park Cemetery at 10.30am.