Shemara Wikramanayake
Managing Director & CEO, Macquarie Group
Shemara Wikramanayake is an Australian business executive who has served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group since December 2018, becoming the firm's first female CEO. She joined Macquarie in 1987 and, before taking the top job, spent about a decade running Macquarie Asset Management, the group's largest division.
Fast facts
| Role | Managing Director & CEO |
|---|---|
| Company | Macquarie Group ASX:MQG |
| Sector | Financials / Investment Banking |
| Headquarters | NSW |
| In role since | 2018 |
| Education | University of New South Wales (Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law, 1985); Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School (1996). |
| Other roles | Co-chair, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) work; various climate finance roles. |
Background
CEO since December 2018; joined Macquarie in 1987; previously ran Macquarie Asset Management, the group's largest division.
Career timeline
- 1985Graduated from the University of New South Wales with commerce and law degrees; worked as a corporate lawyer at Blake Dawson Waldron
- 1987Joined Macquarie Group
- 2008Became head of Macquarie Asset Management, the group's largest division
- 2018Appointed Managing Director and CEO of Macquarie Group, its first female CEO
Notable
- First female CEO of Macquarie Group and only the sixth person to hold the role in the firm's history.
- Born in the United Kingdom to a Sri Lankan father; migrated to Australia at age 13.
- Worked across six countries during her Macquarie career, establishing advisory offices in New Zealand, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
- Has been among the highest-paid CEOs in Australia, reportedly the highest paid for consecutive years around 2021-2022.
- A prominent advocate for climate finance and increased renewable energy investment.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the CEO of Macquarie Group?
Shemara Wikramanayake has been Managing Director and CEO of Macquarie Group since December 2018.
Is Shemara Wikramanayake Macquarie's first female CEO?
Yes. She is the first woman to lead Macquarie Group and only the sixth CEO in its history.
When did Shemara Wikramanayake join Macquarie?
She joined Macquarie in 1987 after starting her career as a corporate lawyer.
What did she run before becoming CEO?
She led Macquarie Asset Management, the group's largest division, for roughly a decade before becoming CEO.
Public profiles
- https://www.macquarie.com/au/en/about/company/board-and-management.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shemara_Wikramanayake
Sources
- https://www.facebook.com/MacquarieGroup/videos/macquarie-group-ceo-shemara-wikramanayake-discusses-the-groups-2026-half-year-re/1909718459893495/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shemara_Wikramanayake
- https://www.forbes.com/profile/shemara-wikramanayake/
- https://www.unsw.edu.au/law-justice/engage-with-us/alumni/alumni-spotlight/shemara-wikramanayake
Last verified 2026-07-13. Professionally-public, sourced information only.