News & Insights

Macpherson Kelley has appointed its first CEO in the company’s 110-year history.

Steve Parker has taken the reins from Damian Paul, the company’s Managing Principal Lawyer for the past 20 years. Macpherson Kelley is incorporated as a company rather than a partnership.

Paul will remain with the company as Executive Chairman taking over from Mr Phil Clark AM.

A Biomedical Engineer, Parker has held senior leadership roles with Hewlett Packard, Unisys and most recently Griffith Hack, where he was CEO for eight years.

“I’m very pleased and excited to be joining the team at Macpherson Kelley,” Mr Parker said.

“The company’s reputation, culture and track record mean that we are very well positioned now, and into the future, to provide the highest quality services for clients along with great opportunities for Macpherson Kelley’s people. This is something I am looking forward to being a part of.” Mr Parker added.

Mr Paul said that the appointment of the new CEO rings in a new and exciting era for the company.

“We’re delighted to welcome Steve to the company,” Mr Paul said. “We were particularly keen to attract someone who knows and understands both professional services and the demands of a corporate operating model. Steve was an obvious choice, ticking both boxes, and was resoundingly endorsed by our Principal Lawyer group and Board. Steve’s mandate is to lead the company’s next growth phase. As we close in on 120 years as a business, his appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Macpherson Kelley.”

In addition to Parker’s appointment, Managing Principal Lawyer of the company’s Victorian practice, James Sturgess has stepped down to focus on client and employee development.