THE GRILL: Neil Stephens

DCN speaks with Port of Brisbane CEO Neil Stephens about his Cornish upbringing, making Queensland home, the responsibilities of running a major port and his love of water, travel sport  and books.

Where did you grow up? What made it special?

I grew up in Cornwall, in the far south-west of the UK. It’s a special place anyway, but for me it meant I could sail and play rugby (union) and cricket to my heart’s content. School work was somewhat secondary to sport, much to the dismay of my parents and teachers.

As a kid, what did you see yourself doing for a career? (astronaut, fighter pilot etc)

Nothing that extravagant. I toyed with joining the Royal Navy, but figured out I probably wouldn’t take the discipline, and then set my sights on being a marine biologist (water has always been pretty important to me) which went really well, especially when I became an economist!

What brought you to Australia?

I qualified at KPMG in London, where I met my first Australians (who are still friends of mine today) and spent a couple of years on secondment with KPMG in Sydney, which I loved. And then, to seal the deal, I met my Brisbane-born wife (Susan), in a pub in London. Fate, I guess.

Who do you support when England is playing Australia at cricket/rugby etc?

Unapologetically England for cricket and rugby, Australia for everything else. And always the British and Irish Lions of course.

Do you see yourself as a Queenslander now?

Very much so, and hopefully the feeling is reciprocated though you never fully cross the divide I guess. I’m pretty loud when watching State of Origin if that’s a guide. Queensland is such a great place to live, and the next 10 years will be a golden decade here. Being Cornish is also pretty ingrained though.

What do you enjoy about managing a large port?

Great people, great port, great industry, and it matters that we do a good job. The port supports, and drives, the Queensland economy so there’s a responsibility there, as there is to our employees, our customers and to my shareholders. We’re also a really diverse business, complementing trade activities with a large property portfolio, building infrastructure, running our own ships and boats, operating a cruise terminal to name a few; given the impacts of geopolitical events, and the weather we get in Queensland, it’s rarely boring. And of course, we make our own land at the port which is terrific for a property person.

Is there one thing that you have learned from managing a port? What was it? Why was it significant?

Not originally coming from a ports background, I probably took it for granted that whenever I wanted something it had to come through a port. Australia is dependent on its ports, and I think they do a terrific job. The value they contribute, not to mention the 700,000 direct jobs they support, make the sector a significant employer.

What do you enjoy doing in your time away from work? What makes it enjoyable?

My daughter maintains that I’m more relaxed the closer to water I am; I live on the river, run a port and spend time boating so she’s probably right. I play golf (mediocrely), always like to travel, try and keep up with my two children (both in their 20’s, one in Sydney, one in Melbourne), and I have an expensive book habit.

Where is your favourite place for a holiday? What makes it special?

Pre-covid, it was New York or anywhere on a yacht. Now, I’m pretty enamoured with what we have here in Australia and struggle at times to go past the Sunshine Coast. That said, Tokyo has always been a place I’ve gone back to; its culture, its food and its mix of the really old and the ultra-new is continually appealing.

Have you got a favourite restaurant in Brisbane? What makes it special?

Can’t do just one, so; Agnes for the food and atmosphere, Stilts for the views, Manly Boat House just because, but I also love a good pub.

What was last book you read? What made it special?

Annoyingly I read more than one book at a time (I mentioned my reading habit); so the two books I’ve just finished are 1929, an award-winning account of the US crash, and London Falling which tells the true story of the sad demise of a 19-year-old caught up in the wrong circles in London. Both exceptional.

This article appeared in the October | November 2026 edition of DCN Magazine