John Lydon GAICD

John Lydon is Co-Chair of Australian Climate Leaders’ Coalition, a member of the NSW Net Zero and Clean Economy Board, Chair of Generation Australia, and serves as an Industry Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney Business School. Previously he was the Managing Partner of McKinsey Australia & New Zealand, holding several roles across the global Firm.  John also served as Economic Commissioner of Greater Cities Commission from 2021-2023.  

John’s purpose is to help business and public organisations create sustainable, inclusive value for all their stakeholders: including shareholders, citizens, society and the environment. He most enjoys working closely with CEOs, Boards and civic leaders to help them develop and grow - realising their personal potential and that of the organisations they lead.

Building on 25 years of global experience at McKinsey, John supports, challenges and coaches leaders and their organisations through formal (e.g. Board) and informal roles. He works across business, public and social sectors to help build systemic solutions to complex problems and opportunities, in particular the dual challenges of climate change and inclusive economic growth.

At McKinsey, notably as managing partner in Australia & NZ from 2013-2019, John had a track record of innovation and growth. This included both transformative strategies and delivered operational improvement for consulting clients, as well as the evolution of McKinsey’s consulting work beyond traditional strategy to areas like digital and analytics, capability building, commercial transformation, implementation and restructuring. Through his term leading the practice, McKinsey A&NZ more than tripled its scale and impact while becoming much more diverse, inclusive and externally engaged.

In 2020, John took a year's sabbatical from McKinsey to explore the concept of aligning economic value with social value, including serving as an honorary university professor, collaborating with and helping build a range of business and civil society organisations, and continuously learning. He also holds an MBA from INSEAD (France), a BA (Economic History and Politics) from London University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and completed the Art and Practice of Leadership Development program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. 

John lives in the Sydney’s Inner West with his partner Carrie, who is an author of several published novels. Outside professional life, you might find him running the bay run, kayaking in Sydney harbour, or exploring independent music with his teenage sons.