From regional paddocks to international boardrooms, Professor Ben Lyons has spent his career strengthening the backbone of regional economies.
A leading advocate for regional development, Professor Lyons has built a distinguished career at the intersection of business, academia, and international trade.
Fluent in Mandarin and holding a PhD in agricultural economics, he has worked extensively across Asia, co-founded a fintech company, and led major regional initiatives in Australia.
Now, he will moderate the UniSQ Thought Leadership Series event – The Future of Regional Development: Building Resilient Regions – at the UniSQ Toowoomba campus on the evening of 8 May. Register to attend the free event.
We spoke with him ahead of the event to get his insights on the key challenges and opportunities shaping regional Australia.
As the Director of the Regional Economies Centre of Excellence, what are some of the most promising innovations or trends you’re seeing that could help rural and regional communities adapt and thrive over the next decade?
We’re seeing a shift towards local empowerment – businesses and communities taking the lead in solving their own challenges. Some place-based initiatives are successfully breaking through the regional glass ceiling, but there’s still work to do in improving governance, adopting smarter technology, and applying strong business thinking on farms.
Given your extensive experience working across Asia, particularly in China, how do you see the China-Australia trade relationship evolving? What opportunities should Qld’s rural economies be positioning themselves for in the next few years?
Australia-China trade might be challenging in the Trump era of geopolitics, but the fundamentals are solid. Our research shows that Australian exporters have diversified their markets over time, reducing reliance on China. While some fundamentals remain, there will be challenges ahead.
With your background in agribusiness and economic development, how do you see entrepreneurship and leadership driving transformation in regional communities? What are the key factors for ensuring economic sustainability and resilience?
We need a stronger entrepreneurial culture that aligns with Australia’s social norms. Leadership is also critical, but right now, too much responsibility falls on mayors and local governments. Broader community participation in decision-making is key, but like in many Western democracies, engagement is lagging.
During your time as CEO of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, you played a role in securing a freight route to Hong Kong and other major regional projects. What lessons from these experiences can other regional areas apply when looking to improve their economic connectivity and global reach?
TSBE has an amazing superpower – they have a unified picture of a region... one that is greater than just Toowoomba but includes the wider region.
What changes are needed to ensure Australia remains competitive in global markets while driving long-term benefits for regional economies?
Australia has relied too heavily on raw exports without investing enough in value-adding industries. Our “dig and deliver” mindset has held us back, particularly in energy policy. Despite having strong fossil fuel and renewable resources, we often fail to maximise the benefits of either – hurting regional economies in the process.
What are you most looking forward to in the discussion at the Thought Leadership Series event, and what do you hope people take away from the event?
I’m excited to hear from Mac Drysdale and Georgie Somerset. Mac has had a remarkable corporate career, including navigating the wool industry’s collapse—arguably Australia’s biggest corporate failure. Georgie, meanwhile, is on the ABC Board at a time of massive change for media, particularly regional media. Their insights will be invaluable.
