Macquarie Names Greg Ward CEO as Shemara Wikramanayake Steps Down After 8 Years

2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 23

Greg Ward will take over as Macquarie chief executive in November, succeeding Shemara Wikramanayake after the board elevated a longtime insider tied to the bank’s retail push.
Ward built his profile through Macquarie’s aggressive retail banking expansion, making him the standout internal candidate as the group opts for continuity.
Wikramanayake is leaving after eight years in charge and after one of Macquarie’s most profitable years, capping a tenure that also drew regulatory scrutiny over multiple scandals.
Her exit marks a leadership handover at one of Australia’s most prominent financial groups, with investors now watching whether Ward can sustain growth while easing regulatory pressure.