Jonathan Shier

Jonathan Shier
Jonathan Shier
Born	October 18, 1947 (age 79); Australia
Occupation(s)	Media executive, businessman
Years active	1978–present
Known for	Managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2000–2001)

Jonathan Fraser Shier (born 18 October 1947) is a prominent Australian media executive and businessman.

Shier completed his education at Barker College, Geelong Grammar School, and Monash University, where he earned degrees in law (LLB) and economics (BEcon). Between 1978 and 1999, he lived in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, occupying senior positions such as director of Scottish Television, deputy managing director at Thames Television, CEO of the Pay TV operator Nethold Central Europe, and commercial director for the Scandinavian and Baltic broadcaster TV3.

In 2000, Shier returned to Australia to take on the role of managing director at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), serving from March 2000 until December 2001. His leadership period focused on restructuring ABC’s management framework and programming lineup, introducing programs like Insiders and Australia Talks to diversify political discourse. His appointment stirred controversy, with critics suggesting that the conservative Howard government installed him to suppress dissenting voices within the organization. Shier stepped down in December 2001 following disputes with ABC chairman Donald McDonald, who was also a government appointee, and received a settlement reportedly worth one million dollars upon his exit.

From 2002 onward, Shier has been leading Continental Ventures (Australia) as chairman and CEO. Between 2008 and 2011, he acted as executive chairman of Fox Legal, an initiative intended to merge specialist law firms and pursue a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. Nevertheless, plans for a $75 million capital raise and public float were abandoned due to the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis.

Shier currently lives in Melbourne.

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