Unlocking executive excellence

0 %

Coaches

Murray Priestman

With deep in-house and consulting expertise, Murray guides C-suite leaders on talent strategy, organisational design, and leadership. He led Korn Ferry’s Organisational Strategy (ANZ) practice and was Global Head of Talent at Macquarie.

Connect

Expertise

20+ years
experience

Holds a BA Hons in Modern History and Politics

IECL-accredited executive coach

Certified Scrum Master

Experience and background

Murray has extensive experience working with C-suite leaders and senior executives across a range of sectors and geographies. He brings a rare perspective: deep in-house expertise in senior talent and HR leadership roles, coupled with strong global experience in consulting.

Murray led the Organisational Strategy practice (ANZ) at Korn Ferry. This included working with clients on enterprise-level issues such as people and talent strategy, operating model and organisational design, culture and the future of work, as well as more individual challenges such as CEO and C-suite assessment and succession, leadership development and top team performance.

Murray also held the role of Global Head of Talent for Macquarie Group Limited, where he had responsibility for performance management, change management, L&D and learning strategy, selection and assessment, leadership and culture across the bank globally. He also delivered executive development and coaching programs for senior leaders.

Previous roles include consulting with a leading global advisory firm in Europe and North America and working as Head of Talent for a major UK insurer. Murray also spent six years working at Royal Mail, in a range of operational and people-focused roles across the business.

Murray's approach

Murray brings a calm and engaging coaching style that belies his comfort asking challenging questions, and draws on his experience gained in roles as diverse as management consulting, train driving, and time spent working in a comedy club.

Qualifications and memberships

  • Murray is certified in a range of psychometric tools and is an experienced and IECL-accredited executive coach.
  • He holds a BA Hons in Modern History and Politics and has a range of postgraduate qualifications including PRINCE2 program management and change management qualifications.
  • Murray is a SAFe-accredited Scrum Master and has completed executive development programs at institutions including Stanford d.school, INSEAD and London Business School.
  • Murray has published a wide range of articles on HR, talent and people-related issued in journals including Australian Institute of Company Directors, HRM Magazine and Inside HR.

Personal insights

Murray spends his free time watching various family members play sport and cycling round Sydney. He is currently finishing his first book, The Science of Success, which looks at unusual ways to improve performance at work.

What our clients say

Murray provided invaluable insight and challenge in our sessions, helping me better understand the critical focus areas for me to focus on as I transitioned into a national leadership role.

 

National Managing Partner, Global professional services firm

Meet more coaches

Adrian Lim

Executive Coach, Facilitator

Amanda Bickerstaff

Executive Coach, Facilitator

Andrea Corcoran

Executive Coach, Facilitator

Andrew Wynne

Executive Coach, Facilitator

Belinda Howell

Executive Coach

Chihyun Park

Executive Coach, Facilitator

Choy Kiew Cheong

Executive Coach, Mentor, Facilitator

Colleen Devine

Executive Coach and Mentor

Craig Marcombe

Executive Coach,Facilitator

David Wallace

Executive Coach

Diana Chee

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Donella Roberts

Head of Digital Learning & Client Experience

Dr Gabby Ostrognay

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Elizabeth Hughes

Executive Coach

Frank Mellish

Executive Coach

Gregory Bayne

Executive Coach

Hercules Kollias

Executive Coach

Hiro Takeda

Executive Coach

Ian Morrice

Executive Mentor

Indra Soebardi

Executive Coach

Jane Wang

Executive Coach

Janet Horton

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Jean Yap

Executive Coach and Mentor

Joanne Lum 

Executive Coach

Jodie Werder

Executive Coach

Jonathan Cole

Executive Coach

Kerrie Kelly

Executive Coach and Mentor

Lana Johnson

Principal, Leadership Practice

Lana Johnson

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Lauren Houghton

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Lesley Morris

Executive Coach and Mentor

Lionel Bikart

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Lisa Geerlings

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Loretta Brown

Executive Coach

Lynn Rasmussen

Executive Coach

Margaret Cowle

Chief Executive Officer

Mark Devadason

Executive Coach and Mentor

Mark Elliott

Executive Coach and Mentor

Martin Blake

Executive Coach and Mentor

Martin Mercer

Executive Coach and Mentor

Mehul Joshi

Senior Partner

Melanie Gowlland

Executive Coach and Mentor, Facilitator

Mike Loh

Executive Coach, Mentor

Murray Bell

Mentor and Executive Coach

Olivia Pascoe

Executive Coach and Mentor, Facilitator

Peter Collins

Executive Coach, Mentor, Facilitator

Peter Kingston

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Peter Lamell

Executive Mentor

Philippe Etienne

Executive Mentor

Rebecca Pickering

Executive Coach and Mentor

Richard Clarke

Head of Coaching and Mentoring

Richard Spilg

Executive Coach and Mentor

Robyn Stubbs

Executive Coach and Mentor

Rupert Bryce

Executive Coach

Russell Alford

Executive Coach

Sangeeta Leach

Facilitator

Scott Levy

Executive Coach and Mentor

Serene Mahaffy

Executive Coach

Sharon Soon

Executive Coach, Facilitator

Sharon Wilkenfeld

Executive Coach

Shelly Park

Executive Coach and Mentor

Steve Mann

Executive Mentor

Susan Ferrier

Executive Coach

Tan Swee Heng

Executive Coach

Thomas Chen

Executive Coach

Tiffany Scotton

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Tom Quinn

Executive Mentor

Virginia Mansell

Founding Partner & Executive Coach

Virginia Mansell

Founding Partner

Wendy Colaco

National Strategic Client Relationships

Wilson Li

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Expert insights delivered
to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter for a regular dose of leadership best practices and inspiration.

SMG is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time. To learn more about our commitment to protecting your privacy, view our Privacy Policy.