Keith Wilks IPWEA International Public Works Conference 2025

Keith Wilks

Keith Wilks Chief Executive Officer Southern Ports Keith Wilks joined Southern Ports in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2023. He oversees the management of southwest Australia’s regional ports at Albany, Bunbury and Esperance. Prior to joining the WA port authority, Keith held executive, senior and advisory positions at the Port of Newcastle, Port Authority of NSW, and global towage operator Svitzer. He also has extensive experience at sea and holds a Master Mariner certification, providing an exceptional understanding of the sector and the evolving nature of ports. Keith has high level skills and experience in financial and commercial management, strategic port planning, capital renewal, and change programs involving port privatisation, digitisation and growth initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New England, post-graduate management qualifications from Melbourne Business School, and a Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science) from the Australian Maritime College. Backed by a deep passion for the sector, Keith is also a strong advocate for the vital role ports play in the social and economic development of regional communities.