Mr. Vaughn Barber has over 29 years of experience in China and the Asia-Pacific region. He currently serves as the Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce and is Co-Founder and Director of Arafura Strategic Advisory (ASA), a consultancy specializing in facilitating cross-border trade, investment, and strategic partnerships between Australia and China.
Previously, Mr. Barber spent 26 years with KPMG China, holding senior leadership roles including Global Chair of KPMG’s Global China Practice, Co-Head of Infrastructure for KPMG China, and Head of M&A Tax for Asia Pacific. He has successfully advised on numerous landmark transactions and complex cross-border investments, assisting Chinese state-owned enterprises and private corporations in their global expansion, including projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. His expertise covers a wide range of sectors, with particular emphasis on infrastructure, energy, and financial services.
Since retiring from KPMG in 2022, Mr. Barber has continued to actively foster Australia-China bilateral business relations. At ASA, he leverages his strategic insight and commercial acumen to support clients in navigating cross-border opportunities, particularly in agribusiness, AgTech, and other high-value industries.
Mr. Barber is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. He is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a Chartered Accountant in Australia and New Zealand. As one of six recipients of the Australia China Council’s inaugural Australia Young Scholars in China scholarship, Vaughn spent 1988 studying in China – an experience that laid the foundation for his career and ongoing commitment to Australia-China relations.