Alistair Macrae

Alistair Macrae is Head of Asia Pacific and a member of Russell Reynolds Associates’ Global Senior Leadership Team. Based in Sydney and Melbourne, he is a trusted advisor to chairs, boards, CEOs, and executive teams on leadership, governance, succession, and organizational effectiveness across Australia and globally.

Alistair works closely with organizations navigating leadership transitions, growth, transformation, and increasing stakeholder expectations. He partners with public and private companies on board, CEO, and senior executive appointments, helping clients build high-performing leadership teams and prepare for future challenges.

He brings extensive experience in board and CEO advisory, including chair, non-executive director, and audit committee chair appointments. His work focuses on board composition, CEO succession, leadership assessment, and executive team effectiveness, helping organizations align leadership decisions with long-term business objectives and sustainable performance.

In addition to his board and CEO work, Alistair has significant experience advising on CFO and senior corporate officer appointments across a broad range of industries. Drawing on his background in finance, strategy, and corporate leadership, he helps organizations assess and identify the capabilities required for complex executive roles in rapidly evolving business environments.

As Head of Asia Pacific, Alistair brings a regional and global perspective to leadership and governance challenges facing organizations today. He works with boards and executive teams across markets while continuing to advise many of Australia’s leading companies. He is a member of Russell Reynolds Associates’ Industrial and Natural Resources Practice.

Prior to joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Alistair spent six years with Fairfax Media Limited, one of Australia’s largest media companies, where he was CFO of the company’s digital business. Earlier in his career, he worked in corporate strategy at Tabcorp Holdings Limited and began his career with Ernst & Young in the Minerals, Energy and Utilities Practice.