Innovation, Strategy,  

Economic Development

Welcome to Keston Economics

Based in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, Keston Economics is an award-winning consulting company specialising in regional economic development, innovation, project and program management, and strategy development.


Keston Economics was established by the founders and associates of Keston Technologies, an international consulting company with offices in Australia (Albany and Sydney) and the UK (Oxford). Keston Economics focuses on economic and business consulting, regional development, innovation and commercialisation work in Australia, as well as to diversify and explore new market opportunities globally. 


Since its establishment in 2004, the Keston brand has delivered and supported projects for clients across Australia and Europe.

Explore Our Projects

[Map Under Development]

Our Capability

Active Regions & Funding Success

Keston Economics and its sister company (Keston Technologies) have over two decades of experience in the development of socio-economic analyses, cost benefit analyses, and business cases to support funding applications across most Western Australian regions. Targets for funding are typically:

                 

  • at a state/regional agency level (Department of Treasury, Lotterywest, Royalties for Regions, RED Grants, RGS, CLGF, Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund, etc.);
  • at federal agency level (Growing Regions Program, BBRF, NSRF, RDAF, SportAus, etc.);
  • through direct ministerial requests (e.g. election commitments); and
  • through the private sector (philanthropic groups, venture capital, CSR sponsorship, branding sponsorship, etc.).

State / Regional / Local Goverment Agencies

Keston Economics works with federal government, state government and local government clients throughout WA including strategic planning activities, scoping and feasibility studies, business case development, and funding applications.

Key clients include Tourism WA, DBCA, DLGSC, DPIRD (Development Commissions), RDA, and local government authorities throughout the state.

Not for Profit, Academic & Private Sectors

Keston Economics works with clients in the not-for-profit, academic and private sectors, including business and strategic planning activities, business cases, funding applications, and trade facilitation.


Clients are spread over various industry sectors, such as sporting clubs, healthcare and social assistance,  universities, primary and secondary schools, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail.

Our Team

Michael Keeler

Director, Keston Economics

With over twelve years of experience, Michael undertakes a range of activities for Keston Economics, including economic and forward planning modelling,  client engagement, and development of feasibility and scoping studies, strategic plans, and business cases for clients throughout Western Australia.


He began working for Keston Technologies in 2012, before jointly establishing Keston Economics with Richard Ball in 2020. Michael continues his role as Senior Consultant for Keston Technologies, with a focus on client needs in the UK and European Union.

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Dr Richard Ball

Director, Keston Economics


Richard has over thirty years of experience in developing international business in high technology areas in a range of sectors - food & drink, nuclear programs, forensic science, materials & technical software. 


Following a career with AEA Technology, in 2002 he was appointed the founding Chief Executive Officer of the National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC) in the UK. In this role, he successfully built the company and its services to deliver against a range of objectives, including inward investment, regional development and support for the metals industry. In 2004, Richard founded Keston Technologies, establishing a prominent brand for robust regional economic strategy, business development and funding applications within Australia and throughout the European Union.


Richard has held a number of academic appointments, including: Lecturer (New College, Oxford), Industrial Fellow (Wolfson College, Oxford), Member of the sub-Faculty of Chemistry (University of Oxford), Visiting Research Fellow (Imperial College, London), Adjunct Senior Lecturer (University of Western Australia).

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Rod Shephard

Associate Consultant,

Keston Economics

 


Andrew Bremner

Associate Consultant,

Keston Economics



Kylie Cutten

Associate Consultant,

Keston Economics