Bowen was born and raised in Western Australia, and his early work career was in South Australia. Subsequently he worked with the Indigenous Land Corporation and he is currently head of Agriculture, Fisheries and Biosecurity with the Northern Territory Department of Industry Tourism and Trade.

He has previously worked for the Commonwealth and was CEO of the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association (NTCA) from 2008 to 2014.

Bowen brings to Cattle Australia an extensive knowledge of cattle industry advocacy processes, grant funding, program management and membership-based organisations.

Chair of Cattle Australia, David Foote, said: "There was an overwhelming response and an exceptionally strong candidate field which had applied for this role which is a wonderful endorsement of our new national body, established to advance and advocate the interests of Australian grassfed cattle producers."

Bowen will start his CEO duties on 17 April for Cattle Australia which was formed as part of a restructure to a single commodity representative body for the grassfed cattle industry.