David Keir the Chief Development Officer leading Port of Brisbane to a more sustainable future
David Keir is an all-rounded executive leader—approachable and knowledgeable—his contributions to the Port have been nothing short of incredible. From his initial portfolio of work with Property to his expanded role in developing our strategic sustainability objectives, his journey at the Port weaves a common thread: his commitment to motivating and developing the people around him to achieve amazing results.
LIVING OUR PURPOSE OF GROWING SUSTAINABLY, DRIVING PROSPERITY FOR ALL
When you walk into your local Bunnings or Kmart, do you ever wonder where the products came from? Or how they got there?
These are the first questions David Keir asks us when we sit down to find out why he chooses to work with us. He’s quick to share that many of the things that underpin Queensland’s economy and make daily life possible arrived via the Port of Brisbane. And just like that, the importance of our purpose makes sense.
Down-to-earth, with a dry sense of humour, our Chief Development Officer is skilled at taking the most complicated matters and communicating them in simple terms. He explains how the majority of Queensland’s consumer goods are brought to Australia via ship—and how the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the importance of this system.
“If someone had asked you in 2019 what an epidemiologist was, you would probably have no idea. It’s laughable to think of now, because we’ve been forced to appreciate the importance of that role. It’s the same thing with shipping. If you’d asked someone what they knew about supply chains, chances are they’d never thought about it before. But when we’re in a pandemic and supermarket shelves are empty, you gain a new appreciation for the importance of the shipping industry.”DEVELOPING A CORNERSTONE OF THE QUEENSLAND ECONOMY
David joined the Port in 2016 with an impressive resume. He worked as Managing Director of a publicly listed, high-rise and housing construction company and Chief Executive Officer of a business operating in large-scale urban communities across Australia. Prior to joining PBPL, David had decided to start his own property business with a close friend, but after delivering a few projects, he realised this path wouldn’t suit him for the long term.
“I had come from large businesses where my role was very active, and I missed being in a workplace with fast-paced conversations and shared experiences. When the position at the Port became available, I thought I’d try my hand at something new. I hadn’t previously had the opportunity to work extensively in this area, so I knew it would be a fascinating challenge.”
David initially joined PBPL as our General Manager – Property, inheriting a critical area of the business with a challenging task ahead. “In addition to a property portfolio that was growing through activities to reclaim and develop new land, our property portfolio was underperforming with 100 Ha of vacant land ready for development.”
“I worked with the team to revitalise our strategy, attract new customers and win deals. Today, the Property portfolio has grown to represent 50% of PBPL’s revenue. When you look across our property portfolio, it’s amazing to see how quickly the team have transitioned our underutilised precincts into thriving industrial estates. We received extraordinarily positive feedback and engagement results with stakeholders and customers both internally and externally. I’m incredibly proud of the value we created by activating that portfolio.”
In addition to the Property portfolio, David and his team have had an incredible impact on PBPL’s sustainability journey. Under our four pillars—people, planet, prosperity and partnerships—David and his team created clear short and long-term goals, including our Target Zero strategy aim to reduce our overall carbon footprint by 2030 by achieving zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill and net-positive water by using more recycled water and rainwater than potable water.
“We’re widely regarded as the leading port in Australia with respect to our approach to sustainability. The future is really bright—there’s a lot of excitement in this space.”A STRONG PROPONENT OF FLEXIBLE WORK
While the team has been shooting the lights out and thriving in a fast-paced environment, David reiterates the importance of flexible work opportunities, ensuring his team enjoys life outside of the office. “As a parent juggling work and life, I realised many years ago the importance of finding roles that challenge me whilst also allowing me to enjoy life outside the office.”
“If it’s your child’s first day at school, whether it’s Grade 1 or Grade 12, and I see you in the office—I would lose it at you!” David laughs. “Those are milestones you don’t get back. If we’ve gained anything from the pandemic, it’s the realisation that balancing work and home life is achievable. We’ve moved beyond the old thinking that you need to be in the office five days a week. Many people are now able to work from home and deliver the same great outcomes while spending more time with their loved ones. And the Port is happy to support that.”
When we ask what David hopes for the future, he has an immediate answer. But it’s not about him—instead, he points to his team.
“I want my team to continue to have fun, reach their goals, and be rewarded for the outcomes they deliver. I have 30-odd years of experience that I can share with them. I hope they learn a thing or two from me along the way.”
By all accounts, David has had an immeasurable impact on everyone he’s worked alongside at the Port. We’re incredibly excited to see what the future holds.
Are you interested in exploring the possibilities of a Port career? Find the right fit for you by visiting our careers page today.