Australia $68 Billion Macquarie Group Appoints 30-Year Veteran & Current Head of Banking and Financial Services Greg Ward as CEO (7/11/26) to Succeed Shemara Wikramanayake Who is Retiring (6/11/26), Greg Ward Joined Macquarie Group in 1996 and Held Senior Roles Including as Macquarie Group CFO, Macquarie Bank CEO (2011 to 2013) & Macquarie Group Head of Banking and Financial Services (Since 2013)
23rd July 2026 | Hong Kong
Australia Macquarie Group ($68 billion market value) has appointed 30-year veteran & current Head of Banking and Financial Services Greg Ward as CEO (7/11/26) to succeed Shemara Wikramanayake who is retiring (6/11/26). Greg Ward joined Macquarie Group in 1996, and held senior roles including as Macquarie Group CFO, Macquarie Bank CEO (2011 to 2013) & Macquarie Group Head of Banking and Financial Services (Since 2013). Announcement (23/7/26): “Macquarie Group (ASX: MQG; ADR: MQBKY) Chair, Glenn Stevens, today announced Shemara Wikramanayake’s upcoming retirement from her role as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group and the Board’s decision to appoint Greg Ward, currently Head of Banking and Financial Services, as her successor subject to the receipt of necessary approvals. Ms Wikramanayake will retire and step down from the Boards of Macquarie Group Limited and Macquarie Bank Limited effective 6 November 2026. Mr Ward will be appointed to the Boards of Macquarie Group Limited and Macquarie Bank Limited effective 7 November 2026.”
“ Australia $68 Billion Macquarie Group Appoints 30-Year Veteran & Current Head of Banking and Financial Services Greg Ward as CEO (7/11/26) to Succeed Shemara Wikramanayake Who is Retiring (6/11/26), Greg Ward Joined Macquarie Group in 1996 and Held Senior Roles Including as Macquarie Group CFO, Macquarie Bank CEO (2011 to 2013) & Macquarie Group Head of Banking and Financial Services (Since 2013) “
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Macquarie Group Chair, Glenn Stevens: “The Board extends its heartfelt thanks to Shemara, who leaves Macquarie in a strong position, with sustained growth across each of our diverse businesses and a highly capable senior team. Over her last eight years as CEO, and for almost four decades with the company, Shemara has steered Macquarie through expansion into new markets, the dislocation of the COVID pandemic, and significantly enhanced recognition of our brand and the value we bring to global clients and communities. In considering the transition from Shemara’s ground-breaking tenure, the Board is pleased to have an experienced candidate of Greg’s calibre to lead Macquarie through its next phase of growth and looks forward to working with him as he brings his global experience and proven ability as a business and technology leader to build on this momentum in the years ahead. Mr Ward joined Macquarie in 1996, the year the organisation became publicly listed, serving as Global Chief Financial Officer for 14 years before being appointed Deputy Managing Director of Macquarie Group. In 2013, he became Head of Banking and Financial Services and led the repositioning of the business, which has grown to become a significant source of innovation and competition in Australian personal banking, business banking and wealth management.”
Outgoing CEO Shemara Wikramanayake: “The great privilege of this role lies in empowering Macquarie’s talented team to perpetuate our unique culture of identifying opportunities and taking accountability for delivering on them to drive sustainable, positive outcomes for our stakeholders. Looking forward, I take confidence in the strength of the team, and particularly in Greg’s ability to build on the legacy of our six decades of history. We have worked together for 30 years, and his track record, leadership and integrity make him an excellent candidate to be Macquarie’s next CEO.”
Incoming CEO Greg Ward: “I’m honoured to be asked by the Board to succeed Shemara as Macquarie CEO. Shemara leaves Macquarie incredibly well positioned, with each of our businesses performing strongly. I look forward to working with the Board, management and our entire Macquarie team to build on Shemara’s legacy for the benefit of all of our stakeholders.”
Greg Ward – Greg has been Deputy Managing Director of Macquarie Group Limited since 2011 and Head of Banking and Financial Services since 2013. He leads a team providing digital-first personal banking, business banking and wealth management products and services in Australia. After joining Macquarie in 1996, the year the organisation became publicly listed, he became Chief Financial Officer for 14 years before being appointed Deputy Managing Director of Macquarie Group. He was also Chief Executive Officer of the Group’s banking subsidiary, Macquarie Bank, from 2011 to 2013. He has over 30 years’ experience in finance and financial services, and during his tenure has driven the growth of Macquarie’s retail financial services business.
Australia $68 Billion Macquarie Group Appoints 30-Year Veteran & Current Head of Banking and Financial Services Greg Ward as CEO (7/11/26) to Succeed Shemara Wikramanayake Who is Retiring (6/11/26), Greg Ward Joined Macquarie Group in 1996 and Held Senior Roles Including as Macquarie Group CFO, Macquarie Bank CEO (2011 to 2013) & Macquarie Group Head of Banking and Financial Services (Since 2013)
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