50 CEOs and Managing Directors in New South Wales

Last updated: 14 August 2026.

New South Wales is home to a large concentration of listed businesses across retail, transport, property, finance, healthcare, technology and infrastructure. This directory brings together 50 chief executives and managing directors whose companies have a NSW headquarters, registered office, major NSW base or strong operating footprint.

The list is a useful starting point for leaders, advisers and curious professionals who want to understand the people shaping large organisations in and around the state. In 2026, it includes established CEOs, joint interim leaders and executives guiding companies through technology, energy, property and infrastructure change.

The people to know

1. Amanda Bardwell

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Woolworths Group

Amanda Bardwell is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Woolworths Group.

Woolworths says Amanda was appointed CEO and MD after leading WooliesX, and she joined the Group in 2001.

2. Vanessa Hudson

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Qantas Group

Vanessa Hudson is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Qantas Group.

Qantas says Vanessa previously served as Group CFO and Chief Customer Officer, after joining the Group in 1994.

3. Shemara Wikramanayake

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Macquarie Group

Shemara Wikramanayake is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Macquarie Group.

Macquarie says Shemara has led the Group since 2018 after a long career that began with the company in Sydney.

4. Gregory Goodman

Group Chief Executive Officer, Goodman Group

Gregory Goodman is Group Chief Executive Officer at Goodman Group.

Goodman describes Gregory as a co-founder who has spent more than three decades in property.

5. Andrew Horton

Group Chief Executive Officer, QBE Insurance Group

Andrew Horton is Group Chief Executive Officer at QBE Insurance Group.

QBE says Andrew joined the Group in 2021 after leadership roles in insurance and banking, including at Beazley.

6. Anthony Miller

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Westpac Group

Anthony Miller is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Westpac Group.

Westpac says Anthony became MD and CEO in December 2024 after leading its Business and Wealth and Institutional Bank businesses.

7. Iñaki Berroeta

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, TPG Telecom

Iñaki Berroeta is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at TPG Telecom.

TPG says Iñaki previously led Vodafone Hutchison Australia and brings three decades in telecommunications.

8. Graham Chipchase

Group Chief Executive Officer, Brambles

Graham Chipchase is Group Chief Executive Officer at Brambles.

Brambles says Graham became CEO in 2017 after serving as CEO of Rexam.

9. David Harrison

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Charter Hall Group

David Harrison is Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer at Charter Hall Group.

Charter Hall says David has more than 30 years in property and has overseen the Group’s long growth as a listed funds manager.

10. Campbell Hanan

Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mirvac Group

Campbell Hanan is Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Mirvac Group.

Mirvac says Campbell became Group CEO and MD in 2023 after leading Investa Office.

11. Ross Du Vernet

Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dexus

Ross Du Vernet is Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Dexus.

Dexus says Ross brings more than 20 years of experience across real assets.

12. Elliott Rusanow

Chief Executive Officer, Scentre Group

Elliott Rusanow is Chief Executive Officer at Scentre Group.

Scentre lists Elliott as CEO and places him at the centre of the Group’s Westfield Australia and New Zealand leadership.

13. Russell Proutt

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, GPT Group

Russell Proutt is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at GPT Group.

GPT says Russell brings more than 30 years of property and financial services experience, including as Charter Hall CFO.

14. Penny Ransom

Joint Interim Chief Executive Officer, Lendlease Group

Penny Ransom is Joint Interim Chief Executive Officer at Lendlease Group.

Lendlease lists Penny as CEO of Investment Management and joint interim Group CEO during its leadership transition.

15. Andrew Nieland

Joint Interim Chief Executive Officer, Lendlease Group

Andrew Nieland is Joint Interim Chief Executive Officer at Lendlease Group.

Lendlease lists Andrew as CFO and joint interim Group CEO during its leadership transition.

16. Nick Hawkins

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Australia Group

Nick Hawkins is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Insurance Australia Group.

IAG lists Nick as Group CEO and describes his leadership of the insurer’s Australian and New Zealand businesses.

17. Frank Calabria

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Origin Energy

Frank Calabria is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Origin Energy.

Origin says Frank became MD and CEO in 2016 after joining the company as CFO in 2001.

18. Matthew Halliday

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ampol

Matthew Halliday is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Ampol.

Ampol says Matthew joined as CFO in 2019 before becoming Managing Director and CEO.

19. Damien Nicks

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, AGL Energy

Damien Nicks is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at AGL Energy.

AGL says Damien became MD and CEO in January 2023 after serving in senior finance roles and as CFO.

20. Trevor Croker

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Aristocrat Leisure

Trevor Croker is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Aristocrat Leisure.

Aristocrat says Trevor became CEO and MD in 2017 after joining the company in 2009.

21. Dig Howitt

Chief Executive Officer and President, Cochlear

Dig Howitt is Chief Executive Officer and President at Cochlear.

Cochlear says Dig became CEO and President in 2018 after holding several manufacturing, logistics and Asia Pacific roles.

22. Dr Jim Newcombe

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Sonic Healthcare

Dr Jim Newcombe is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Sonic Healthcare.

Sonic says Jim became CEO and MD in November 2025 after leading its Sydney founding practice, Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology.

23. Steve Donohue

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Endeavour Group

Steve Donohue is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Endeavour Group.

Endeavour describes Steve as the leader of its drinks retail and hospitality group, including Dan Murphy’s and BWS.

24. Adam Watson

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, APA Group

Adam Watson is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at APA Group.

APA says Adam became CEO and MD in 2022 after joining the Group as CFO and working across critical infrastructure.

25. Ryan Stokes AO

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seven Group Holdings

Ryan Stokes AO is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Seven Group Holdings.

Seven Group says Ryan is its MD and CEO and previously served as Chief Operating Officer.

26. Kay Lesley Page

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Harvey Norman Holdings

Kay Lesley Page is Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at Harvey Norman Holdings.

Harvey Norman says Kay has been CEO since 1999 and has overall executive responsibility for the Australian consolidated entities.

27. Paul Digney

Managing Director, Qube Holdings

Paul Digney is Managing Director at Qube Holdings.

Qube lists Paul as Managing Director and describes the Group as an integrated import and export logistics provider.

28. Tarun Gupta

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Stockland

Tarun Gupta is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Stockland.

Stockland lists Tarun as MD and CEO and describes his experience across property, funds management and investment.

29. Darren Yip

Interim Chief Executive Officer, ASX Limited

Darren Yip is Interim Chief Executive Officer at ASX Limited.

ASX says Darren became Interim CEO in May 2026 after leading its Markets and Listings businesses.

30. Brian Benari

Chief Executive Officer, Magellan Financial Group

Brian Benari is Chief Executive Officer at Magellan Financial Group.

Brian is the founding CEO and Partner of Barrenjoey and previously led Challenger as CEO from 2012 to 2019.

31. Jim Clayton

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Breville Group

Jim Clayton is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Breville Group.

Breville says Jim has led the company as CEO since 2015 and as Managing Director since 2021.

32. Stephen Mikkelsen

Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Sims Limited

Stephen Mikkelsen is Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Sims Limited.

Sims says Stephen became CEO and MD in 2023 after serving as Global CFO and holding senior roles at AGL Energy.

33. Paul Flynn

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Whitehaven Coal

Paul Flynn is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Whitehaven Coal.

Whitehaven says Paul has led the company since 2013 and has overseen its Narrabri and Maules Creek operations.

34. Sharif Burra

Chief Executive Officer, Yancoal Australia

Sharif Burra is Chief Executive Officer at Yancoal Australia.

Yancoal says Sharif became CEO in September 2025 after leadership roles across mining operations, safety and improvement.

35. Dean Banks

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Ventia Services Group

Dean Banks is Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer at Ventia Services Group.

Ventia says Dean became Group CEO in 2021 and Managing Director in 2022 after leading UK construction services at Balfour Beatty.

36. Sankar Narayan

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, SiteMinder

Sankar Narayan is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at SiteMinder.

SiteMinder says Sankar leads its international software teams across 20 locations after earlier roles at Xero, Virgin Australia and Fairfax Media.

37. Andrew Alcock

Managing Director, HUB24

Andrew Alcock is Managing Director at HUB24.

HUB24 says Andrew brings more than 30 years in wealth management across advice, platforms, superannuation, insurance and technology.

38. Nick Hamilton

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Challenger

Nick Hamilton is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Challenger.

Challenger says Nick became MD and CEO in 2022 after leading its Funds Management business.

39. Nigel Lee

Chief Executive Officer, Tyro Payments

Nigel Lee is Chief Executive Officer at Tyro Payments.

Tyro says Nigel brings more than 25 years of payments, fintech and digital leadership, including senior roles at Ingenico.

40. Matthew Stanton

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Nine Entertainment

Matthew Stanton is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Nine Entertainment.

Nine says Matthew became CEO and MD in March 2025 after serving as Acting CEO and previously leading strategy and transformation.

41. Bernard Reilly

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Perpetual

Bernard Reilly is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Perpetual.

Perpetual says Bernard brings more than 30 years in asset management, banking and finance, including as CEO of Australian Retirement Trust.

42. Paul Anderson

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Healius

Paul Anderson is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Healius.

Healius says Paul became CEO in March 2024 after serving as Group CFO and previously leading Network Ten.

43. John McBain

Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Officer, Centuria Capital Group

John McBain is Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Officer at Centuria Capital Group.

Centuria describes John as a co-founder and joint CEO with more than four decades in real estate.

44. Jason Huljich

Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Officer, Centuria Capital Group

Jason Huljich is Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Officer at Centuria Capital Group.

Centuria describes Jason as a co-founder and joint CEO with a career spanning commercial and industrial property.

45. Zubin Appoo

Chief Executive Officer, WiseTech Global

Zubin Appoo is Chief Executive Officer at WiseTech Global.

WiseTech says Zubin became CEO in July 2026 after returning to the company and earlier leading technical and product work around CargoWise.

46. David Tudehope

Chief Executive, Macquarie Technology Group

David Tudehope is Chief Executive at Macquarie Technology Group.

Macquarie Technology Group describes David as its co-founder and Chief Executive, responsible for general management and strategy.

47. Michael Kavanagh

CEO, President and Managing Director, Nanosonics

Michael Kavanagh is CEO, President and Managing Director at Nanosonics.

Nanosonics says Michael became CEO and President in 2013 after international healthcare and medical device leadership roles.

48. Matt McKenzie

Chief Executive Officer, Boral

Matt McKenzie is Chief Executive Officer at Boral.

Boral says Matt became CEO in April 2026 after serving as COO and leading large operational teams in construction materials and waste.

49. David Cataford

Chief Executive Officer and Director, Champion Iron

David Cataford is Chief Executive Officer and Director at Champion Iron.

Champion Iron says David joined in 2014, became CEO in 2019 and led the restart of the Bloom Lake mine.

50. Bruce Mathieson Jnr

Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, The Star Entertainment Group

Bruce Mathieson Jnr is Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at The Star Entertainment Group.

The Star says Bruce brings more than 30 years in hospitality and gaming and joined its Board as an observer in 2025.

A practical next step

Leadership becomes more useful when it turns into a conversation about Monday morning. Pick one person from this directory, read more about their organisation, and note one idea you could test with your own team.

If you would like help building an organisation people would move cities to work at, I help leaders turn practical ideas about people and culture into action.

About Jonno White

Jonno White is a Brisbane-based leadership consultant, keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator. He works with schools, organisations and leadership teams around the world.

Related reading

If you are exploring practical leadership and team development, read Working Genius FAQ and Strategy leadership consultant.

Enquire in writing

To ask about a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email Jonno White.