Famous Australian CEOs

Andrew Forrest is an Australian businessman known for his leadership in the mining industry, particularly as former CEO and current non-executive chairman of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG). With a substantial net worth, he has been ranked among the wealthiest individuals in Australia. Known for his philanthropy, Forrest and his wife were the first Australian billionaires to commit the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. He has established foundations focusing on education, Indigenous Australians, and ending modern slavery. Despite controversy over tax matters, his contributions to society have been significant.

James Packer is an Australian billionaire businessman and investor. He inherited control of Consolidated Press Holdings Limited and has investments in Crown Resorts and other companies. Packer has served as the former executive chairman of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) and Consolidated Media Holdings, as well as Crown Resorts. His net worth has been consistently high, ranking him as one of the wealthiest Australians. He has made significant deals, including Blackstone's takeover of Crown Casinos, which resulted in a substantial financial gain for him.

Mike Cannon-Brookes is an Australian businessman known for co-founding and serving as the co-CEO of software company Atlassian. He has been actively involved in the Australia-Asia Power Link project since 2018, a significant electricity infrastructure initiative in the Northern Territory. Through collaboration with Twiggy Forrest, Cannon-Brookes is contributing to the development of this major project by Sun Cable. His professional endeavors showcase a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability in the business world.

Mark Bouris is an Australian businessman renowned for founding and chairing 'Wizard Home Loans' and later 'Yellow Brick Road'. He achieved success as Australia's second largest non-bank mortgage lender. Bouris has hosted popular TV shows like The Celebrity Apprentice Australia, The Apprentice Australia, and The Mentor. Additionally, he is an author of several books, a podcast guest, and manages social media accounts on Instagram and YouTube. With a diverse professional portfolio, Bouris is recognized for his contributions to the business and media industries.

Scott Farquhar is an Australian businessman known for co-founding and serving as the co-CEO of Atlassian, a prominent software company. He and his partner, Mike Cannon-Brookes, established Atlassian with the goal of achieving financial success comparable to corporate starting salaries without traditional employment. Farquhar has earned recognition as an "accidental billionaire" due to Atlassian's tremendous success. Additionally, he is actively involved in the Technology Council of Australia, contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation in the country.

James P. Gorman is an Australian-American businessman and financier. He has been the executive chairman of Morgan Stanley since 2012, having previously served as CEO from 2010 to 2023. Prior to his CEO role, Gorman held the positions of co-president and co-head of strategic planning at the firm. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the direction and success of Morgan Stanley, a prominent global financial services company, for over a decade.

Charlie Bell was a prominent Australian business executive known for his leadership roles at McDonald's. He served as president of the American-based fast-food chain from December 2002 and briefly as the chief executive officer from April to November 2004. Bell made history as the first non-American and youngest individual to hold the position. His tenure at McDonald's showcased his strategic vision, operational expertise, and ability to drive growth in a highly competitive industry, leaving a lasting impact on the company's global operations.

David Liam Barr Gyngell, an Australian businessman, served as the Chief Executive Officer of Nine Entertainment Co., which oversees the operations of the Nine Network and Nine Radio. He initially held the CEO position at the Nine Network before temporarily resigning due to declining ratings, only to return later. Gyngell eventually took on the role of CEO for Nine Entertainment Co. but resigned in 2015. He was succeeded by Hugh Marks. Gyngell's professional career also saw him involved in a public altercation with James Packer in 2014.

Ruslan Kogan is an Australian entrepreneur who founded and serves as the CEO of Kogan.com and other ecommerce companies in Australia. He gained recognition as Australia's richest person under 30 until 2012. Kogan is known for his controversial views on consumer technology, including opposition to the Australian Government's internet filter and the Set Top Box Scheme. He has contributed articles to major media outlets such as Forbes, Fast Company, VentureBeat, Gizmodo, and TechCrunch. In 2015, he was featured on Bloomberg Television's High Flyers series.

Thérèse Rein is an Australian entrepreneur and founder of Ingeus, an international employment and business psychology services company. She has been recognized for her long-term dedication to human rights, particularly for people with disabilities, receiving awards such as the Human Rights Medal from the Australian Human Rights Commission. Rein has also been honored with multiple honorary degrees for her services to business, commitment to human rights, and efforts to eliminate poverty and injustice. In 2018, she was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

Rob Scott is an accomplished Australian businessman and former national champion rower. He currently serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Wesfarmers, a prominent industrial and retail conglomerate. With a background in rowing, Scott excelled as a sweep-oared heavyweight rower, winning numerous championships and representing Australia at various international competitions. He is recognized as a dual Olympian oarsman, having secured a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Scott's professional journey showcases his leadership skills and dedication to both sports and business.

Melanie Perkins is an Australian technology entrepreneur, known for co-founding and serving as the CEO of Canva alongside Cliff Obrecht. With an 18% ownership stake in the company, she has achieved significant success in the tech industry. Notably, Perkins holds the distinction of being one of the youngest female CEOs of a tech start-up valued over A$1 billion. Her influence extends globally, as evidenced by her inclusion in Forbes' list of the "World's 100 most powerful women" in 2023.

Jacques Nasser is a prominent business executive and philanthropist with a distinguished career in management. He is known for his tenure as CEO and president of Ford Motor Company from 1999 to 2001. Nasser has held various leadership positions at companies such as One Equity Partners, British Sky Broadcasting, Brambles, BHP Billiton, Koç Holding, and Fox Corporation. He is also involved in advisory roles at Allianz, Altimetrik, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Nasser is recognized for his philanthropic efforts, scholarship programs, and has received several prestigious honors for his contributions to society and business.

Katie Page is an Australian business executive serving as the CEO of retailer Harvey Norman. She gained recognition for her influential role in the business world, being ranked fourth on the list of the "50 most powerful women in business" in 2015. Page is known for her support of professional sports and dedication to promoting women in sports. Her professional endeavors highlight her leadership skills, business acumen, and commitment to empowering women in various industries, making her a significant figure in the business and sports communities.

Andrew Demetriou is an Australian businessman, sports administrator, and former Australian rules football player. He played for the North Melbourne Football Club and Hawthorn. After retiring from playing, he chaired several companies before becoming CEO of the AFL Players Association in 1998. He later served as CEO of the Australian Football League from 2003 to 2014, overseeing significant developments such as expanding the league, restructuring the tribunal system, and securing new television rights deals.

Robert James Dell’Oro Thomson is an accomplished Australian journalist and media executive with a distinguished career spanning various prestigious publications. He began as a copyboy at The Herald before becoming a senior feature writer at The Sydney Morning Herald. Thomson then served as a correspondent in Beijing and Tokyo for the Financial Times. He later held key editorial roles at the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal. Known for his criticism of tech giants, Thomson advocates for fair compensation and sustainable business models in the media industry.