Co-founder of Leaders on Demand and Chief Operations Officer
+61 439 250 204
Stewart.Winspear@LeadersOnDemand.com
A former Managing Director at both Alvarez & Marsal and AlixPartners, Stewart has led some of the world’s most complex and demanding turnarounds and transformations as a CEO, COO and CFO.
Prior to this, he was IBM’s Chief Financial Officer in Asia Pacific. He had P&L responsibility for Business Partner operations in the region with over 13 thousand partners across 15 countries.
Calm under pressure, Stewart is renowned for maintaining objective focus on the practical response to the dynamics of competing priorities. His contribution is frequently sought by boards and executive teams facing complex situations that demand high-stakes decisions and flawless execution.
Career History
Stewart commenced his career at Price Waterhouse where he trained as a Chartered Accountant and worked in corporate finance and restructuring in Australia and Singapore. After Asian economic crisis, he joined IBM as CFO in the Asia Pacific business in Singapore and China to partner with the CEO and drive operational and financial performance whilst maintaining strong governance across the region.
With a deteriorating economic outlook, Stewart joined global turnaround firm Alvarez and Marsal to establish the China office and worked as a Managing Director across Asia Pacific and later in UK. He returned to Australia where he worked on corporate turnarounds with AlixPartners across Asia Pacific.
He was a Partner with EY Operating Partners team in Australia where he teamed up with leadership teams focusing on operational performance across a spectrum of sectors in private equity, multi-national corporations and government, before retiring from EY to co-found Leaders on Demand.
Leadership Highlights
As Interim CFO, partnered with the CEO and Board, and led the successful turnaround of an Asian airline before handing over the reins to a permanent CFO
Turnaround of a Japanese owned Australian manufacturer
Interim CEO and CFO of an ASX listed financial services business to stabilise leadership and deliver quick wins to recover market share for BNPL business
IBM Asia Pacific CFO focusing on performance, operations, integrations and governance
Pre-acquisition interim CFO for PE owned Chinese health & fitness chain
Finance lead for carve out, separation and preparation for sale of an asset custodian business
Interim CEO of an Australian listed asset financing company appointed by global PE shareholder to drive the business turnaround
Qualifications
Certified Organisational Coach, Qualified Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment (Securities Institute of Australia), Bachelor of Commerce (UTAS), Dare to Lead Trained
Sectors
Aviation, Professional and Business Services, Construction, Health and Fitness, Manufacturing, Technology, Financial Services
Functions
General Management, Finance and Treasury, Operations, Investment and Asset Management
Situations
Turnarounds, Complex Transactions, Transformations, Technology Issues, Cultural Resets
Favourite quotes
“Do not be afraid to make decisions. Do not be afraid to make mistakes” Carly Fiorina
“Failing organisations are usually over-managed and under-led” Warren G. Bennis
“I joined Leaders on Demand...
... as a co-founder of Leaders on Demand. I am dedicated to revitalising organisations, helping CEOs and their teams inspire workforces globally and create opportunities for great leaders to pay it forward by helping leaders with bold ambitions”
“When I'm not at work...
... I juggle between catching up with family and friends, children's sporting events and watching the Hawks. I have the odd run around Cataract Gorge and have taken up rowing again. I try to fit in a game or two of golf each year... without much luck”