Kevin McKenna

Senior Advisor

Kevin McKenna, Senior Advisor at EMIR, brings over 30 years of distinguished experience in executive leadership, advisory roles, and diplomatic service. His extensive career spans multiple sectors, including defence and police forces, aviation, health, education, engineering, and professional services. Kevin is renowned for his ability to guide clients in optimising success through new market entry, partnerships, and stakeholder management.


Over the past decade, Kevin has specialised in advising companies on market entry and growth strategies. From 2014 to 2023, he served as New Zealand’s Consul General and Trade Commissioner for India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Qatar, the Levant, and Africa. In these roles, he supported over 150 companies in establishing and expanding their presence in these regions. He also led the New Zealand Business Leveraging Programme at Expo 2020, showcasing his ability to drive strategic initiatives on a global stage.


Kevin’s earlier career includes significant leadership positions, such as Managing Director and Executive General Manager for Transfield Services across the Middle East, India, Asia, and New Zealand. His role as Director of People and Change Consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand, along with his tenure as Director of Strategic HR for the New Zealand Defence Force, further underscores his expertise in organisational transformation and strategic human resources.


A qualified military pilot and registered aviation psychologist, Kevin was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his leadership in modernising defence employment conditions.

Kevin’s career is marked by his strong leadership and adeptness in navigating complex organisational landscapes to drive change, growth, and operational excellence across various sectors and regions.