Martin Blake
Martin is an exceptional frontline leader with over 30 years as a strategic advisor working in complex local and global operating environments.
Martin joins SMG with a distinguished career in investment banking and over 28 years in management consulting with KPMG. He has a successful track record in merger integration, separation, profitably growing businesses, strategic business development and business transformation through cultural, growth and performance leadership.
Martin was chairman of KPMG NSW for eight years, and Australian leader for the firm’s financial services practice for 4 years. Martin led the insurance practice for five years, established the firm’s global fintech insurance community and played a key role in establishing Stone & Chalk, the first Fintech Centre in Australia. He also held the role of lead partner for NSW Government for five years from 2017 to 2021.
During his time as senior partner in management consulting at KPMG, Martin worked with clients across the private and public sectors and led a wide range of transformation projects in Australia and Asia.
He joined SMG as an Executive Coach Mentor and Chairman of the Advisory Board in April 2024.
Approach
Martin’s raison d’etre is connecting beautiful minds to shape the future of Australia. He applies his passion, expertise and knowledge to improve business performance through people, working with senior executives to help them achieve their business and personal goals.
As a coach, Martin has worked with people from a range of backgrounds and with varied experience, from Managers and Senior Leaders through to Partners and C-suite executives.
Martin believes in Thinking Big, Starting Small and Scaling Fast.
Qualifications
Martin is an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate, has a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and Economics History from Swansea University, is a graduate of Oxford University and University of London and is a fellow of FINSIA.
Personal Insights
Martin has coupled his extensive business experience with a strong commitment to supporting better community outcomes through his involvement in numerous non-profit boards, including Chairing the Advisory Board for the University of Sydney Business School for eight years and Chairing the Risk and Audit Committee on the Committee for Sydney Board for 12 years. He also served on the Advance board for eight years and the President’s Council for the NSW Art Gallery for seven years.
In 2021, Martin founded the Groundswell Foundation to address the pressing issue of loneliness and its impact on mental health in Australia, showcasing his dedication to fostering connected communities and positive change.
In addition to his professional endeavours, Martin is an avid sailor and an Australian Ambassador for the Royal Ocean Racing Club. He is a father to 18-year-old boy and girl twins, and is passionate about innovation, gender diversity and mental health.
