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Michael Cannon-Brookes' Global Impact Honoured

Global Australians

Key Facts:

• Michael Cannon-Brookes has been recognised by Global Australians for his distinguished international career spanning banking, technology, consulting and executive leadership, including senior roles at Citibank, Westpac, IBM and Freehills.

• Cannon-Brookes has spent decades quietly mentoring dozens of Australians around the world, opening doors and helping others realise opportunities, with countless individuals citing his influence on their careers and lives.

• Tributes were paid by his son, Mike Cannon-Brookes Jr, as well as mentees, colleagues and prominent Australians including including Doug Ferguson, Sally Loane AM, Adrian Turner, Ken Allen AO, Josephine Linden AM, Yasmin Allen AM, Melanie Brock AM, Arthur Sinodinos AO and David Thodey AO, all highlighting Michael’s generosity, humility, leadership and enduring commitment to helping Australians succeed both at home and abroad.

• In his honour, Global Australians has launched the Global Australians Mentoring Initiative, which will connect emerging Australians with experienced leaders to help accelerate careers, expand networks and create opportunities around the world.

The award honours Australians whose impact has created lasting value both at home and internationally, celebrating outstanding achievement alongside a commitment to supporting others.

Michael Cannon-Brookes has had a distinguished international career spanning banking, technology, consulting and executive leadership. Arriving in Australia from Hong Kong in 1984 as Managing Director of Citibank, he successfully secured the bank’s Australian banking licence and played a pivotal role in establishing its presence in the Australian market.

He later held senior leadership positions with Westpac before transitioning into technology, where he led IBM’s banking division and subsequently served as IBM’s Vice President of Global Strategy for Growth Markets, based in Shanghai. He was also the first Managing Director of Freehills, helping transform the firm from a traditional legal practice into a modern professional services business.

However, it is not only Michael’s professional achievements that Global Australians is recognising. For decades, he has quietly mentored dozens of Australians, opening doors, sharing advice and helping others realise opportunities they may not otherwise have had.

He has also devoted more than twenty years of volunteer service to Global Australians. From supporting the Shanghai Chapter in 2008 to serving on the Board from 2012 to 2025, he has consistently given his time, expertise and encouragement to help Australians connect, succeed and support one another around the world.

Global Australians Chief Executive Officer Kate McQuestin said Michael is widely admired not only for his extraordinary career, but for the countless people he has helped, encouraged and mentored along the way.

“Throughout my time as CEO, one name has consistently come up wherever Australians gather around the world. Whether in Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, London or Sydney, people have shared stories about Michael Cannon-Brookes.

“A piece of advice he gave. A door he opened. A conversation that changed the direction of someone’s career. I have met countless Australians who proudly speak about the impact Mike has had on their careers and lives.

“They are kind. They make time for others. They support people and causes bigger than themselves. We often talk about success, but kindness leaves a lasting impact far beyond any individual achievement. Mike’s influence can be seen not only in what he has accomplished, but in the people he has helped along the way.

“Today, we recognise the impact Mike has had through his leadership, generosity and willingness to support others. Much of that contribution occurred behind the scenes, without recognition or expectation, simply because he cared.

“Some of the most important contributions happen quietly. Through mentorship. Through encouragement. Through opening doors. Through helping others realise opportunities they may not have seen for themselves.

“There has never been a more important time to recognise the quiet acts of generosity, mentorship and support that help individuals, communities and organisations thrive. Mike’s impact is a powerful reminder that helping others succeed can create opportunities and influence that last for generations.”

On accepting the award, Michael Cannon-Brookes said: “I am genuinely humbled by this recognition. The truth is that mentoring has never felt like a responsibility to me. It has always been a privilege.

“Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to meet remarkable people with ambition, talent and potential. I have always enjoyed listening to their stories, helping them think through challenges and, where I could, encouraging them to back themselves.

“If I have been able to repay a small part of that by helping others along the way, then I consider myself incredibly fortunate. There is no greater reward than seeing someone grow in confidence, take a chance, achieve something they didn’t think possible and then go on to help others.”

Australians Pay Tribute

Michael’s son, Mike Cannon-Brookes Jr, led tributes to his father, reflecting on the values that have shaped both his life and career.

“Growing up, we moved around the world following Dad’s career. We lived in different countries, experienced different cultures and met people from all walks of life.

“That shaped how Dad saw the world, and how he encouraged us to see it too. He taught us to be curious about people, to value different perspectives and to understand that Australia’s strength comes from the diversity of people who choose to contribute to it.

“You only have to look at Australia’s World Cup team to see that story. The Socceroos reflect modern Australia: different backgrounds, different family stories, different pathways, all united by a shared commitment to this country.

“Dad’s story is part of that same Australian story. He arrived here in 1984, built a life, contributed deeply and spent decades helping others do the same.

“At a time when conversations can too often become narrow, his impact is a reminder of what Australia gains when we welcome talent, ambition and generosity from around the world.”

Tributes were also paid by mentees, colleagues, friends and former Global Australians leaders including Doug Ferguson, Sally Loane AM, Adrian Turner, Ken Allen AO, Josephine Linden AM, Yasmin Allen AM, Melanie Brock AM, Arthur Sinodinos AO and David Thodey AO, all highlighting Michael’s generosity, humility, leadership and enduring commitment to helping Australians succeed both at home and abroad.

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Mentoring Initiative Launches in His Honour

To honour Michael Cannon-Brookes’ contribution, Global Australians announced the launch of the Global Australians Mentoring Initiative.

The initiative will connect emerging Australians with experienced leaders from across the Global Australians community, helping accelerate careers, expand networks and create opportunities around the world. The mentoring program will sit alongside Global Australians’ growing ecosystem of initiatives, including its Career Pathways Program, Global Leaders Circle and Global Australian Awards.

Ms McQuestin said the initiative reflects the values Michael has demonstrated throughout his life and career.

“The most important part of everything we do is people. Because behind every connection is a story. A mentor who opened a door. A conversation that changed a career. A community that provided support. A fellow Australian who believed in someone else’s potential. These connections reflect the very best of Australia: curiosity, courage, generosity and a willingness to help others succeed. We know from our own data that 75% of Australians abroad want to give back to Australia. They want to contribute. They want to support others. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves.

“The Mentoring Initiative is inspired by the generosity, wisdom and encouragement Mike has shown throughout his career.”

“Australian ambition matters, but so do the people who back it. The people who share advice, open doors, give their time and support others. Legacies are not built by what we achieve ourselves. They are built by the opportunities we create for others.

“His impact since arriving on our shores in 1984 has been immense. We are thrilled to honour that contribution today and to do our part to ensure it continues for generations to come.”

About us:

Global Australians is the global community for Australian ambition, grounded in a simple belief: we go further together. Uniting Australians across 140 countries, Global Australians harnesses the power of people, expertise and connections to strengthen Australia’s competitiveness, resilience and future prosperity. As an independent not-for-profit organisation, Global Australians connects leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, creatives and emerging talent to unlock opportunities, foster collaboration and demonstrate that Australian ambition knows no borders. The Global Australians Foundation, its DGR-endorsed charity, exists to help Australians facing disadvantage pursue their ambitions and realise their potential, because where you come from should never limit where you can go.

Contact details:

Kate McQuestin on 0411 839 174 or [email protected]