Mark Baxter

For over 40 years I have had a successful global career as an Risk & Audit Committee Member and Chair, Non-Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer in complex insurance, banking, investment management, actuarial consulting and wealth management organisations in Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Cape Town and across Europe. I approach all opportunities and issues with a pragmatic and ethical framework.

As a Director and C-suite executive, I have helped guide organisations through periods of transformation, automation, significant projects and at times existential business stresses. A natural collaborator I mentor, guide and assist executives and colleagues.

As the inaugural, independent Chair of NSW Labor’s Audit & Risk Committee, I have guided the party in its risk management journey after significant risk management breaches (that resulted in ICAC investigations) prior to my tenure. I also provide pragmatic risk and compliance advice to organsitions and companies with the objective of making risk an enabler for businesses.

Originally trained as an actuary, I rapidly moved onto broader risk management and compliance and then ultimately broad strategic and leadership roles. At the age of 29 I was Mercer’s youngest Managing Director when I was appointed to lead the then troubled Hong Kong operations which ended up growing significantly during my 6 year engagement. My extensive experience on boards and risk committees in Australia, South Africa, Europe and the United Kingdom means that I bring experience in different board room dynamics and cultures and can bring this global and cultural experience to the fore.

In addition to my extensive corporate experience, I have been heavily involved in not-for-profit boards and charities and in 2018 was recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 LGBTQIA Executive Role Models by Deloitte and Google. I am a leading advocate for diversity in all its forms and I often speak and coach on diversity matters for senior leaders. A group of like minded people and I have recently established the Australian LGBTQ Board and Executive Inclusion Forum (ALBEI) which aims to promote diversity in all its forms in the boardrooms and C-suites of Australia.

In my spare time I volunteer for a number of organisations and I have completed the Certificate IV in Fitness which means I am now also a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. Cycling and hiking are my passions.