SA | Transport & Infrastructure with Keolis Downer

Jonathan is Sustainable Mobility Manager for Keolis Downer in Australasia, responsible for driving the organisation’s push toward zero emissions public transport. Trained as a mechanical engineer, Jonathan spent 9 years as an engineering consultant working primarily on energy and transport projects. These included hybrid renewable energy systems, battery integration, and the emerging green hydrogen sector. He is currently providing technical and project delivery support for battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle deployments across Australia, while also working to create new projects and growing KD’s Zero Emissions and Sustainable Transport (ZEST) Centre of Excellence. Jonathan is passionate about the role that the public transport sector can play in reducing carbon emissions using exciting new energy technologies.

Joanna Kay is a highly respected voice in the renewable hydrogen landscape, holding the position of General Manager at the Smart Energy Council and leading Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia. In this pivotal role, Joanna plays a crucial part in advocating for and advancing renewable hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source, both on a national and international scale.
At the forefront of Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, a peak industry body within the renewable hydrogen sector, Joanna actively champions the development and adoption of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives. Her leadership extends to spearheading the Zero Carbon Hydrogen Scheme, an industry-led initiative focused on promoting the uptake and distribution of renewable hydrogen products within Australia and globally.
In addition to her instrumental role in the renewable hydrogen sector, Joanna spearheads various initiatives, including the Smart Energy Gender Action Plan. This underscores her commitment to fostering a cultural shift that embeds a gender lens in business decision-making. Her dedication extends beyond industry capacity, actively contributing to the economic empowerment of women through quality employment outcomes in new jobs and industries that are both meaningful and locally impactful.
With a diverse background spanning both private and public sectors across Australia, China, and India, Joanna brings a wealth of experience to the table. Notably, she has served as the Australian
Government Specialist Advisor to the International Solar Alliance, showcasing her dedication to advancing sustainable energy solutions on a global scale.
Joanna's influence is further underscored by her strategic roles on the Advisory Board of the CRC Scaling Green Hydrogen Bid and the Australian Government National Hydrogen Strategy. In recognition of her expertise, Joanna has recently been appointed as a board member of the University of Adelaide's Institute of Sustainability, Energy, and Resources.
In her multifaceted role, Joanna Kay emerges as a trusted and influential figure, actively shaping the discourse on renewable hydrogen and contributing to global efforts in decarbonisation.

Chris is Keolis Downer Adelaide’s Engineering & Projects Director. He is a highly experienced leader in the customer-focused transport business, overseeing capital-intensive operations and infrastructure.

Over the course of the last 9 years, Chris has held various executive roles within the Keolis group, bringing with him strong credentials in strategy development, customer service innovation and collaborative working. Starting as Rolling Stock Director for Yarra Trams, Chris led the team to a successful contract extension before heading to the UK where he took on the role of Director of Engineering for Keolis Amey Metrolink. He also led Metrolink through the challenges of Covid 19 as interim Director of Finance and Commercial.

Prior to his time with the Keolis Group, Chris spent 13 years working in the aviation industry for Qantas and Ansett, and spent time as a consultant providing specialist advice to airline and energy industries.

Chris’s interests outside of work very much centre around his family – his wife Nicola and their two daughters Annika and Freya. He enjoys being outdoors as much as he can either cycling, playing golf or hiking. He enjoys food, wine and cheering on his football teams, the Richmond Tigers & Manchester United.

Philip Agnew is an experienced mechanical engineer who also holds a masters in environmental management.

Working for the SA Government for 18 years Philip has been responsible for the delivery of significant projects in the state including the introduction of new electric trains and the rebuild of the rail network followed with his role as the chief engineer for the Adelaide Metropolitan Passenger Railway Network.

Philip is currently the Director of Asset Management for Public Transport within the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for all tram, train and bus assets including infrastructure and fleet.

Philip is driven to do the best he can for the people of the state and has a specific passion for public transport, its ability to grow cities and the potential that a transformation to zero emission public transport can bring.