News Ken MacKenzie joins Board of Melbourne Business School

Ken MacKenzie joins Board of Melbourne Business School

Melbourne Business School International Leadership Executive Education

One of Australia's most internationally-recognised business leaders will bring a global perspective to Melbourne Business School.

Ken MacKenzie at Melbourne Business School

Ken MacKenzie spent 10 years as the CEO of global packaging company Amcor before becoming Chair of BHP Group in 2017 and overseeing its growth into Australia's biggest company by market capitalisation.

Ken is also a driving force behind The New CEO Program at Melbourne Business School, an exclusive leadership program designed to address the unique challenges faced by new CEOs of major organisations.

Now, he will join the Board of Melbourne Business School to contribute to its vision to be among the top-ranked business schools in the Asia-Pacific — and the world.

"The opportunity to give back and pass on my lived experience is important to me. Joining the Board of Melbourne Business School will hopefully allow me to do that," Ken says.

"I've been passionate about leadership and how businesses create lasting value for shareholders and stakeholders my whole career. I'm not an academic, but I have developed some relevant skills and experience from a 35-year career in business, including over 15 years as a CEO and chair.

"I've also been a career expat, lived and worked around the world, and that has helped me develop a global perspective."

Born in Canada, Ken earned a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University in Montreal and worked as a strategy consultant for Accenture before settling in Australia. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ken says his experience designing The New CEO Program in collaboration with the School led him to consider playing a larger role in the organisation.

"I've been working with Melbourne Business School for more than five years now on The New CEO Program, which is designed for new CEOs of publicly-listed ASX 150 companies," he says.

"It's been great fun. It has been through this relationship that I became interested in a deeper involvement with the School."

In his new role, Ken hopes to continue the School's legacy of driving innovation and success for Australian businesses.

"Melbourne Business School was founded more than 60 years ago by bold corporate leaders who saw the clear need to develop leadership, management and innovative thinking and skills for business success," he says.

"That need, and the School's role in its delivery, is as important today as it was when it was founded."

Ross Barker, Chairman of Melbourne Business School, said: "Ken MacKenzie has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities for Australian businesses, having led two of the country's most successful global companies at both the executive and board level. His global perspective, expertise in strategy and understanding of the industry landscape will be of tremendous benefit to the School."

Ken is also a Strategic Advisor for financial services firm Barrenjoey, as well as serving on the Advisory Board of American Securities.

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