Llew graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Economics and later graduated with an MBA from the University of Edinburgh.

His early career in the Public Service introduced Llew to shipping via his promotion to the Exports Transportation Branch which eventually became part of the federal Department of Shipping and Transport. Llew was promoted to section head of the department and was well on his way to a career in shipping.

In 1978, he was appointed head of the Liner Branch of the Department of Transport but his shipping career really took off in 1981 when he was head-hunted to become assistant director and soon after executive director of the Australia-to-Europe Shipping Conference.

At the time there were seven separate shipping conferences operating and rationalisation was inevitable. In 1987, Llew was appointed the inaugural CEO of Shipping Conference Services Limited which was followed by Liner Shipping Services in 1992 and eventually Shipping Australia in 2001 following the merger of the Australian Chamber of Shipping and Liner Shipping Services. Llew remained the CEO up until his retirement from the position in 2013.

Among Llew’s earliest challenges as CEO of Shipping Australia was the introduction of terminal handling charges in the early 1990’s, vigorously opposed by the Australian Peak Shipping Association and resulting in an exhaustive two-year investigation by the ACCC. It was not to be the only time Llew crossed paths with the ACCC.

Llew was also involved in five major reviews of Part 10 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act) which regulates international liner shipping of cargo travelling either to or from Australia. Llew was a strong supporter of Part 10, because – in his own words – “it delivers benefits to exporters and shipowners alike”. Llew’s view on Part 10 were not shared by the Trade Practices Commission or its successor, the ACCC.

It’s also just one of numerous issues which Llew has been involved in – from representing his members interests during industrial disputes, working with the government on general industry reform as well as representing Australian shipping at many international conference.

Llew is a Fellow of the Institute of Logistics and Transports and in 2012 was awarded a Biosecurity Lifetime Achievement Award for the promotion border protection.

Llew’s long, distinguished and highly effective career was recognised when he was awarded the honour of Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day in 2009.