Peters, who was 63 when he died, served as chief executive of the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) from 1993-96.

He drove a three-year restructuring of the organisation from its traditional industrial relations services base into a member services-focused organisation, said the PIAA.

That included a name change from the Printing and Allied Trades Employers Federation of Australia.

Peters was also instrumental in celebrating Australia’s bicentenary of print in 1996, said the PIAA.

Peters received the Order of Australia award in 2004 and was named Canberra Citizen of the Year in 2012. He also served as chief executive of the ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 1997 until his passing.

PIAA chief executive Bill Healey said he knew Peters well through his association with the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other industry bodies.

"Chris was always an imposing figure, a gentleman and diplomat. His commitment to the development of Australian business was reflected in his many corporate memberships and honours and he was regarded by many as one of Australia’s leading authorities on corporate governance," said Healey.

"Chris fought a long and courageous battle against pancreatic cancer, maintaining his strong work ethic until the very end.

"Our board members and staff, some of whom served with Chris, were saddened to hear the news of his passing and extend their deepest sympathies to his wife, Jo Peters."

Peters' funeral was held on 26 February. His family have requested privacy and have also asked that donations be made in his memory to pancreatic cancer research in lieu of flowers.

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