Jonathan McKeown

Jonathan McKeown is the Chief Executive of the Australian Water Association, a role he commenced in May 2013.

Jonathan graduated from the Australian National University with combined Arts/Law degrees in 1983. Jonathan commenced his career as a commercial lawyer with Mallesons solicitors in Melbourne. In this capacity he worked in a variety of areas including mergers and acquisitions, mining and resources, and finance and banking. He then transferred to business, gaining 25 years of commercial experience in establishing and consolidating businesses across Asia and the Middle East.

Jonathan has advised more than 200 companies in developing business in Asia whilst managing offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Tokyo, and Amsterdam. His international project management skills have been acquired through significant development projects (including water projects) across Asia and the Middle East, all requiring regular interaction with senior levels of governments, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Management experience in industry associations has been acquired in roles that include Director of Trade Business Services at the Chamber of Manufactures (now known as Australian Business Chamber) and Chief Executive of the NSW Farmers Association.

As a management consultant Jonathan has been based in Asia for seven years, specialising in productivity improvement, strategic planning, corporate restructures, and acquisitions and joint ventures across Asia and Australia. He brings detailed practical experience of the challenges of conducting business across borders and cultures with a direct exposure to the fast changing demands of the Asian markets.