Ken Matthews AO

Ken Matthews brings extensive public sector leadership experience and water sector expertise, having served as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian National Water Commission from its foundation in 2005 until 2010.

In his role at the National Water Commission, Ken was responsible for working with State and Territory governments to implement the National Water Initiative Inter-Governmental Agreement and encourage national water reform and improved water management across Australia. His previous senior positions include Secretary of the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services (1999-2004) and Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (1998-1999).

Ken holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Flinders University in 2014.

Ken was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2005 for services to regional communities, the national transport system and his contribution to public administration. He currently consults in water management, agriculture, transport, natural resource management and government policy, bringing deep expertise in science policy, inter-governmental relations and organisational leadership.

Ken has been appointed as a Director on the Board of Mulloon Institute in November 2025.