Macquarie CEO Wikramanayake retires, Greg Ward succeeds

Macquarie Group announced on Thursday, July 23, 2026, that its chief executive, Shemara Wikramanayake, will retire in November after eight years leading the investment bank. She will be succeeded by Greg Ward, the current head of banking and financial services.

Wikramanayake, 64, will officially step down on November 6, concluding a nearly 40-year career at the company. She became CEO in November 2018. Greg Ward, 58, a veteran who joined Macquarie in 1996, will take over as managing director and CEO. Ward has served as deputy managing director since 2011 and previously held the role of chief financial officer for 14 years.

In a statement, Macquarie Chair Glenn Stevens praised Wikramanayake's tenure, stating she had steered the company through expansion into new markets, the COVID-19 pandemic, and significantly enhanced its global brand recognition. Wikramanayake expressed confidence in her successor, noting their 30-year working history and Ward's leadership and integrity.

The leadership transition was announced hours before the company's annual general meeting, which was scheduled for the same day. A collective of more than 160 shareholders, including large U.S. pension funds,...