Director Spotlight: Malcolm Strachan – From Military Command to Boardroom Confidence
Few careers are as operationally intense, ethically demanding, or strategically significant as military leadership. For Malcolm Strachan, a highly accomplished defence leader now transitioning to civilian board roles, that experience has forged a unique governance perspective; one built on accountability, resilience, security intelligence, and mission-critical oversight.
Having served at senior levels within the Australian Defence Force, Malcolm is now applying his expertise in cybersecurity, governance, and risk to corporate leadership. His boardroom philosophy is grounded in clarity, control, and collective purpose.
In this Director Spotlight, Malcolm shares his perspective on strategy, culture, compliance, and the emerging role boards must play in navigating modern security threats and complex transformation.
From Service to Stewardship: A Strategic Transition
After a distinguished military career, Malcolm recognised it was time for change, not just for his own growth, but to allow others to step forward. His decision to move into civilian leadership and board advisory roles was both pragmatic and purposeful.
“Change creates opportunities for others to grow, while giving me a chance to bring my skills into new environments. My priority now is supporting shareholder and stakeholder outcomes, helping shape business culture, and driving delivery with discipline.”
Boardroom Value: Strategic Vision Backed by Operational Rigor
Malcolm’s value proposition lies in his ability to bring clear, strategic thinking to complex, high-pressure environments. Having led critical ICT, cyber, and operational communications initiatives within Defence, he offers exceptional capability in security governance, transformation oversight, and decision-making under uncertainty.
“I’ve operated in high-consequence environments. That has shaped how I think. I anticipate the impact of decisions across short, medium and long-term horizons. That perspective brings resilience and a sharp edge to board deliberations.”
Governance Contributions: Security and Risk Front and Centre
With deep experience leading Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) functions for Defence, Malcolm is most drawn to oversight areas involving operational security, cyber resilience, risk appetite, and compliance assurance.
“Boards must embed security measures at the design stage of the business model, not as an afterthought. When done early, it maximises ROI, ensures regulatory compliance, and creates competitive advantage.”
Transferable Leadership Lessons
Malcolm’s leadership style is grounded in clarity, structure, and unity. He places a strong emphasis on accountability, critical thinking, and adaptive communication skills honed through decades of high-stakes leadership.
“Collective ownership and clearly defined outcomes underpin success. Culture matters. Leadership means setting the tone, maintaining it, and ensuring it’s sustained across the whole organisation.”
Cybersecurity and the Board: Lifting the Literacy
Cyber risk is no longer the domain of IT departments; it’s a board-level concern. Malcolm’s approach is to demystify complex issues and raise board confidence in engaging with emerging technologies.
“I frame cyber and AI issues in language board members understand. Once people grasp the fundamentals, it becomes empowering. When the ‘ones and zeroes’ make sense, people start to engage proactively.”
Ethical Decision-Making in the Boardroom
With a background in protecting life and liberty, Malcolm approaches ethical decisions from a unique lens.
“Every decision has a consequence. I consider the worst-case scenario and likelihood of occurrence, then adjust accordingly. I will always own the decisions I make. That mindset, whether individual or collective, is essential at board level.”
Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate With Purpose
Whether briefing national security leaders or navigating organisational transformation, Malcolm emphasises the importance of speaking the stakeholders’ language, literally and figuratively.
“Clarity reduces confusion in pressure environments. Empathy builds trust. Engaging stakeholders in their own language enhances outcomes and reduces the cost of misunderstanding.”
On Transformation and Change Management
In Defence, change is constant. Malcolm’s role has often involved cost-justifying transformation, aligning communications, and ensuring that the right message travels from leadership to the front line.
“Leadership must stay tightly aligned to the message and model being rolled out. Transformation only works when there’s trust, clarity, and genuine cultural buy-in.”
Understanding Modern Security Threats
Malcolm believes boards must face the uncomfortable truth: threat actors move fast, and the tools we create to protect ourselves can also be used against us.
“The same AI and quantum tools used for security will be adopted by adversaries. Resilience starts with a security-minded culture, underpinned by adaptive, well-informed leadership.”
Industries of Interest and Ethical Alignment
Malcolm is motivated to serve on boards that value growth and profit, but not at the expense of people or society.
“I want to support organisations that match strong ethical frameworks with a commitment to performance. There is no long-term success without integrity.”
Staying Informed: A Relentless Learner
Malcolm continues to invest in governance and cyber education through AICD, SANS, ISACA, and others. He regularly participates in red-teaming exercises, follows legislative developments in key markets, and monitors incident reporting across industries to stay ahead of the curve.
Balancing the Strategic and the Operational
He describes his approach as grounded in asking the right questions: What? So what? Now what?
“Board-level decisions need to be informed, contextual and timely. I balance red and blue ocean thinking, align insights to business timelines, and ensure the right information is delivered in the right format for governance use.”
Proud Moments and Practical Achievements
One of Malcolm’s greatest personal achievements post-service has been adapting his language and leadership style to suit the commercial world.
“I’ve worked hard to translate military precision and complex computing into something that adds value in boardrooms and across businesses. Making cyber and AI understandable and usable, that’s how you create impact.”
Advice for Senior Leaders Transitioning to the Boardroom
Malcolm leaves us with a clear and powerful message:
“The highest-ranking person in the room isn’t always the smartest. Great boards leave with the right decision, not the loudest opinion. Diversity of thinking prevents groupthink. And remember, compliance might be the third letter in GRC, but it’s the one that deserves the most attention and investment.”
Connect with Malcolm Strachan. If you’re seeking a board director or security advisor with unrivalled experience in governance, risk, security, and strategy, Malcolm brings a unique mix of integrity, insight, and operational discipline.
🎯 Available for board roles, advisory appointments and strategic oversight positions in commercial, public sector and mission-driven organisations.
