Jeff McLean

Background

About Jeff McLean

People, process, and data. The synergy between these is critical in achieving business success. I navigate all three, drawing on my local and international experience as a business leader and board member in complex operational environments. I have travelled all my life. My dad was in communications intelligence in the Army, and I was born in Singapore. Throughout my career, I worked across Asia, setting up businesses for exceptional growth and driving transformational change. I have a lived understanding of overseas business operations, particularly in the US and Asia. I'm a people person, someone good with conflict resolution who genuinely cares about growing capability. A fast thinker, I relish robust discussions, problem-solving, securing buy-in, aligning priorities, and chasing shared goals. But I'm also hugely commercially minded. I have navigated revenue management, mitigated reputational and financial risk, and built governance frameworks and reporting mechanisms that set new standards in Australia and globally. Evidence-based, I use data to anticipate and overcome roadblocks and take advantage of changes. Having retired early to pursue board roles, I bring a wealth of experience from my background in HR. I've orchestrated large-scale workforce and business plans, unknotted pricing dilemmas, and redefined HR strategies, uplifting leadership, and shaping processes that improve culture. My time as an MD gives me a first-hand understanding of general management concerns and the operational landscape – particularly in logistics and distribution. Highly strategic, I see patterns others often don't and have a knack for both detailed process analysis and big-picture long-term thinking. Before my deliberate shift to a portfolio career, I led HR operations across the Asia-Pacific region. I bridged gaps between sales and marketing, spearheaded workforce and business planning, and fostered leadership collaboration. Following mergers and acquisitions, I headed post-integration efforts, smoothing out challenges that inevitably arise when combining services businesses. I'm good under pressure, thanks to ten years in the Australian Army as a Commissioned Officer in the Special Forces Group. Now, I'm revelling in my board roles and the rhythms of family life. I thrive outdoors and share this passion as a Scout leader. I also give back as the Treasurer for the Australian Commando Association. I am open to additional board positions in complex, fast-moving environments where I can leverage my multi-national experience. jeff.mclean@yahoo.com.au