Macquarie mourns death of David Clarke, AO

Macquarie Group Chairman Kevin McCann today said he and his colleagues mourned the death of former Macquarie Group Chairman David Clarke, AO at the age of 69. Mr Clarke passed away today at his home, surrounded by family.

Mr Clarke resigned as Chairman of Macquarie Group Limited and Macquarie Bank Limited on 17 March, 2011.

“On behalf of my fellow board members, management and staff of Macquarie I extend our sympathies to David’s family. David was a truly great figure in Australian business. In addition to his many achievements at Macquarie, he has made a lasting contribution to a diverse range of Australian companies, industries, the performing and visual arts and to the philanthropic sector.

“David championed the progress and potential of Australian business. At Macquarie he embraced the challenge and opportunity of a globally competitive environment. He promoted excellence and high standards of corporate governance and was a pivotal figure in the transfer of business skills to the philanthropic sector.

“While his legacy remains, those who knew and worked with David feel a burden of loss. He was a great friend and a person who set standards of personal behaviour to which we can all aspire,” Mr
McCann said.

Macquarie Group Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Moore said Mr Clarke laid key foundations for Macquarie’s success.

“The way we operate today is testimony to David’s enduring contribution and his adherence to the highest standards and his confidence in Macquarie’s ability to compete with the best in the world. I am privileged to have worked with him for the past 25 years.

“David’s commitment to building a sustainable future for the not-for-profit sector has changed the face of corporate philanthropy in Australia and proved transformational for many of the community
organisations with which David has been involved,” Mr Moore said.

Mr Clarke was appointed joint Managing Director of Macquarie Group’s original predecessor, Hill Samuel Australia in 1971. In 1977 he was appointed Managing Director and in 1984 Executive
Chairman. He was Executive Chairman of Macquarie Bank from its formation in 1985 until 2007 when he ceased executive duties.

He served as Chairman of Australian Vintage Limited for 18 years; Goodman Group Limited for nine years; was appointed by the Federal Government in 1991 to dispose of the Australian wool stockpile and served on a number of business advisory councils, including the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Corporate Governance Committee.

In his philanthropic activities, David led the establishment of the Hill Samuel Charitable Fund in 1978 and was part of a leadership group that founded the Macquarie Group Foundation in 1985. He served as Chairman of both entities. He also served on the boards and councils of groups as varied as The Salvation Army, Opera Australia, Opera Australia Capital Fund, The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, the Australian Rugby Union, the International Rugby Board, Social Ventures Australia, the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia and the Australian Olympic Foundation.

In 1992 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to business and the community and in 2001 received the Centenary Medal for service to Australian society through
business and the community. In 2006, he was awarded the Richard Pratt Business Leadership Award by the Australia Business Arts Foundation.