24 June 2025
Above Board: Board Advisory and Governance Update – Winter 2025Read moreClare BrownIsaac EvansDr Pamela HanrahanJustin HarrisJohn Keeves
John is a senior corporate lawyer with more than 30 years’ experience advising on corporate governance, major projects, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, and corporate and securities law, with a focus on board advisory and governance.
John has deep experience in all aspects of corporate law and corporate governance, and has advised boards on major transactions, projects, and disputes. His current areas of interest include cybersecurity, regulation of AI and ESG activism.
He has been extensively involved with the development of corporate and securities law in Australia, having been Chair of the Corporations Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and also Chair of the Business Law Section. He has been involved in numerous consultations with Government involving corporate and securities law reforms, and other business law reforms.
John is also an experienced company director, who is highly financially literate with deep experience in development and oversight of corporate strategy.
He was a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel from 2006 to 2015 and a member of the Companies Auditors & Liquidators Disciplinary Board from 2004 to 2014.
Work highlights
ABB Grain
Relating to Viterra Inc.'s acquisition by $2.1 billion scrip and cash scheme of arrangement.
Centro Australia Wholsesale Fund and Centro Direct Property Fund
Reconstruction of the Centro group involving the aggregation of Centro funds (equity value in excess of $3 billion) and restructure of Centro Properties' over $3 billion in senior debt.
Envestra
$2.4 billion takeover by Cheung Kong Consortium, and on APA’s $2.1 billion proposed merger by scheme of arrangement.
SA Department of Premier and Cabinet
Energy Plan Projects, including 270MW Emergency Generation, 100 MW Battery (world’s then largest grid connected battery - constructed), 150MW Solar Thermal Project (world’s largest - announced), Virtual Power Plant, Government-wide Power and Gas Procurement, various projects financed from SA Renewable Technology Fund.