Alan Kohler AM

Alan Kohler AM's Biography

One of Australia’s leading financial journalists offering sharp insights into markets, the economy and business.

 Alan Kohler AM is one of Australia’s most respected financial journalists and business commentators, with more than five decades covering the economy, markets and business. Beginning his career as a cadet at The Australian during the Poseidon boom, Alan went on to become editor of both the Australian Financial Review and The Age, and a columnist for the AFR, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

For almost 30 years he has been a familiar face on the ABC, first as business editor of 7.30, host of Inside Business, and now as the nightly finance presenter on ABC News, where his signature graphs have become an Australian institution. He also co-founded Eureka Report and Business Spectator, and today writes for the ABC, Intelligent Investor, and co-hosts the Money Café podcast. In 2019, Alan was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the media as a finance journalist and commentator.

As a keynote speaker, Alan offers unparalleled insight into the forces shaping our financial future. He speaks on finance, the economy, stock markets, and the stories behind the headlines, drawing on decades of experience and an insider’s perspective on how policy, politics and global events ripple through markets and businesses.

Audiences gain more than just economic analysis — Alan’s presentations deliver context, clarity and humour, helping business leaders, investors and decision-makers cut through the noise and understand what really matters. Whether decoding economic trends, explaining market volatility, or demystifying financial reporting, Alan equips audiences with the knowledge and perspective they need to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions.

Alan is an engaging keynote presenter for the savvy investor, the financially studious and any organisation seeking a relevant and meaningful understanding of where it sits, and the opportunities available, in the economic and business marketplace.

Contact Helene Greenham directly to enquire about Alan Kohler to speak at your event – helene@platinumspeakers.com.au

Speaking Topics Include

AI, Productivity and the Balance Sheet

What Leaders Need to Know Before Writing the Cheque

Alan Kohler has spent his career interpreting the forces behind technological and economic disruption, from the dot-com boom to today’s AI revolution. Known for his ability to make the complex understandable, Alan provides a clear-eyed perspective on how artificial intelligence will reshape business, productivity and profitability.

In this keynote, he explains the economics of AI adoption, separating hype from reality. He outlines the two main paths — top-down automation and bottom-up enablement — and what each means for capital expenditure, workforce planning, and risk management. Audiences leave with a pragmatic roadmap for adopting AI that maximises value while protecting the bottom line.

Audience takeaways:

Where real AI ROI will emerge in the next 24–36 months

A step-by-step adoption model with guardrails and metrics

Key risks: legal, data, IP and reputational challenges

Workforce planning strategies for skills, roles and redeployment

The keynote is perfect for: CEOs, CIOs, innovation leaders, and executives seeking to understand the true impact of AI on business and productivity.

Australia Now

Policy, Productivity and the Real Drivers of Growth

As ABC News’ long-time finance presenter and one of the nation’s leading economic storytellers, Alan Kohler has a unique gift for turning complex trends into clear, actionable insights. With five decades of reporting experience, he offers audiences a trusted, big-picture view of Australia’s economic future.

In this keynote, Alan connects the dots between policy, demographics, housing, technology and productivity. He explains the scenarios business leaders need to plan for — and why decisions made in Canberra and global markets ripple through wages, margins, and investment. This is the economy decoded for executives who need clarity, context, and foresight.

Audience takeaways:

The metrics that actually forecast growth and margin pressure

How housing, tax and demographics collide with inflation and rates

Practical scenario planning for labour, prices and investment

Moves leaders can make now to protect margins and build resilience

The keynote is perfect for: Boards, executive teams, industry associations, and leaders responsible for strategy and future growth.

Markets, Money & You

Cutting Through Noise to Make Better Capital Decisions

Alan Kohler has built his reputation as a trusted voice in finance through decades of reporting, analysis, and commentary for the ABC, The Australian Financial Review, and The Age. In this keynote, he brings that experience directly to the boardroom.

With his signature graphs, straight-talking style, and wealth of experience, Alan shows leaders how to cut through the confusion of financial markets. He explains how interest rate cycles, credit conditions, and liquidity directly affect corporate balance sheets — and provides practical frameworks for boards, executives and investors to make smarter, more resilient decisions.

Audience takeaways:

How rates and credit flow through to earnings and valuations

Interpreting bank signals and liquidity as leading indicators

Building dividend, buyback and capex resilience in any market

Separating signal from hype in financial media and research

The keynote is perfect for: CFOs, CEOs, investors, and leadership teams seeking sharper insight into financial markets and risk management.

The Great Australian Housing Mess

What’s Driving Prices — And What Business Must Do Next

As one of Australia’s most respected financial journalists and commentators, Alan Kohler has spent more than five decades analysing the forces shaping the economy. In this keynote, he brings his trademark clarity, insight, and sharp storytelling to one of the nation’s most pressing challenges: housing.

Alan explains how policy decisions — from rate cuts and capital gains discounts to first-home buyer grants and migration — created a demand-supply imbalance that now drives affordability and accessibility. With an ability to cut through complexity, he shows business leaders why the housing market isn’t just a social issue, but a powerful economic force affecting wages, productivity and corporate planning.

Audience takeaways:

The four policy levers that continue to drive housing prices

Why accessibility is the key metric for planning and risk

How housing shapes wages, productivity and workforce dynamics

Practical implications for business strategy and capital allocation

The keynote is perfect for: CEOs, boards, senior executives, and corporate strategists navigating the impact of housing on talent, wages, and consumer markets