Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman
AO BA LLB (Hons) LLM (Harvard) Life Fellow AICD
Skills and experience
Mr McCann has extensive board experience with some of Australia’s most recognised companies. He is a former corporate lawyer and experienced Chairman and Director of listed private and government companies, and government agencies.
In his roles as Chairman of the Board and Chair of the People, Culture, Nomination and Remuneration Committee, his experienced leadership promotes a cohesive, constructive challenge and oversight environment. Mr McCann’s expertise in shaping culture (including through organisational and remuneration design), public policy, social performance and stakeholder engagement, enables him to bring valuable insights in these areas.
Mr McCann received a Bachelor Arts and a Bachelor of Law (Honours) from Sydney University and a Master of Law from Harvard University. He is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Career Summary
Previously, Mr McCann served as Chairman of Macquarie Group and Macquarie Bank Limited (from December 1996 to March 2016), Origin Energy Limited (from January 2000 to October 2013) and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (from June 2001 to June 2010 and from June 2015 to June 2018). He was also previously a Director of Bluescope Steel Ltd (from May 2002 to April 2013) and E&P Financial Group Limited (from February 2020 to November 2021). He was also a Director of the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney (from June 2010 to June 2020) and was a Trustee of the Sydney Opera House (from January 2018 to December 2023). Currently, Mr McCann is a Member of Champions of Change Founding Group (since April 2010), Chairman of Sydney Harbour Foundation Management (since August 2015), Chairman of China Matters (since November 2018), a Director of Haydn Ensemble (since December 2020), and Chair and Board Advisor of Blueprint Institute (since June 2022).
Mr McCann practiced as a commercial lawyer as a partner of Allens Arthur Robinson from 1970 to 2004 and was Chairman of Partners from 1995 to 2004. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to business, corporate governance and gender equality in January 2020.