About John Chisholm

John Chisholm held senior executive positions in leading Australian legal and accounting firms for more than 17 years, transforming them into market leaders in their fields. He is recognised for his management, leadership and visionary skills, as well as his ability to think outside the square.

John established his own consultancy, John Chisholm Consulting, in 2005 to share his expertise and experience with professional service firms in Australia, New Zealand and worldwide looking to maximise their business performance.

John is experienced in all aspects of professional practice including: strategy,business and financial planning, human resource management, new business development, client relationship management, performance management  and pricing in professional service firms.

As part of his consultancy practice John was part-time Executive Chairman of the Melbourne practice of PKF Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors from 2006-2008 guiding them through a full financial integration with PKF Sydney and Brisbane.

During his years as Chief Executive of Middletons from 1999-2004, John drove a national agenda that saw the firm expand into a fully integrated national partnership and leading commercial law firm. Profitability more than doubled, the firm attracted many top calibre personnel and clients and staff attrition rate improved significantly.

John was an effective agent for change. He led the integration of three Melbourne firms to create Middletons and subsequently presided over the acquisition and integration of two Sydney law firms.

A third generation lawyer, John previously held the position of Managing Partner at Maddock, Lonie & Chisholm (now Maddocks) for eight years. During this time, the firm transformed from Victoria’s pre-eminent local government law firm into a successful and innovative mid-tier full service firm.

John was admitted to practise as a Barrister & Solicitor in 1979, and practised principally in commercial and property law. He is a member of the Law Council of Australia, the Law Institute of Victoria, the Australian Legal Practice Management Association and the Verasage Institute.

He and Karen have been married for 30 years and have four beautiful grown up children (most left home). Outside family John's major interests are friends, food and wine, painting & drawing caricatures, travel, Australian Rules Football (especially Geelong Football Club and Ormond Amateur Football Club) and spending time at  Point Lonsdale.