Independent judgement.
Operator experience.
Global perspective.
Built on four decades of global executive and board experience and a trusted international network of operators, advisors and specialists.
We believe value is created by making a small number of better decisions and executing them consistently.
Not through complexity, but through clarity.
Not through volume, but through focus.
We support leaders in making better decisions and delivering on them.
Our name reflects our philosophy
Rival speaks to the deliberate choices required to build sustainable competitive advantage - knowing where to compete, how to win and where not to play.
Street reflects pragmatism: commercial judgement, operating discipline and execution under pressure.
Together,
Rival Street
represents disciplined choices and execution grounded in real-world leadership experience.
Why we do this
Leading an organisation today is increasingly complex.
Competing priorities, regulatory demands, stakeholder expectations and constant change all place pressure on decision-making.
At the same time, the consequences of those decisions are greater - for performance, for investors and for customers.
In our experience, value creation comes from focus. Not from capital allocated off-strategy, organisational complexity or the pursuit of adjacencies.
We believe leaders benefit from experienced, independent counsel in these moments. Clearer thinking, sound judgement and disciplined execution. That belief underpins Rival Street.
Lifting capabilities
Technology and data, including rapidly advancing AI capabilities, are reshaping how organisations compete, operate and create value.
We bring practical, operator-led experience in digital, data and transformation to help leaders cut through the noise, prioritise what matters and apply these capabilities in ways that improve performance, strengthen customer outcomes and build competitive advantage.
OUR PURPOSE AND WHAT WE VALUE
We bring clarity to decisions that shape value
Judgement
We apply experience, context and perspective to make decisions that stand up in the real world.
Integrity
We act with independence and say what needs to be said - with honesty, transparency and respect, especially when the stakes are high.
Commitment
We follow through with discipline and pace, staying close to the work until outcomes are achieved.
How we work
WORKING TOGETHER
We work directly with Boards, CEOs and investors on a small number of engagements where experience and judgement matter most.
No large teams or layered delivery models. Where appropriate, we bring in trusted specialists from our global network to support specific initiatives.
Our work is grounded in three principles -
1
Focus on what matters most
Value is created through a small number of critical decisions. We identify and prioritise the decisions that matter most.
2
Apply experienced judgement
We combine strategic perspective with real operating and governance experience to strengthen decision-making.
3
Follow through to outcomes
We work alongside leadership teams to translate decisions into execution and results.
Different by design
WE PROVIDE
Independent judgement
We bring objective judgement to high-stakes situations, free from institutional bias. Decisions are guided by experience, perspective and long-term value, not institutional interests.
Operator-led experience
Our perspective is grounded in lived executive and board accountability, not theory. We have sat in the roles making these decisions and understand the practical realities of execution.
Commercial focus
Every engagement is anchored in improving performance, returns and the capabilities that underpin long-term advantage.
Trusted global network
We draw on a trusted international network of operators, advisors and specialists, bringing the right experience to each situation. This platform model provides access to deep expertise while remaining independent, senior and focused on execution.
Founder & CEO
David is a former CEO, board director and global executive with four decades of leadership experience across financial services - including insurance, investments, retirement systems and financial advice - and professional services.
He has a long track record of accelerating profitable growth, building enterprise value and leading complex organisations across 46 international markets and diverse regulatory and cross-border environments.
He has lived and worked from Sydney, New York, London and Brisbane, with responsibility for strategy, capital allocation, customer outcomes, culture and performance.
Most recently, David was Chief Executive Officer of Australian Retirement Trust – one of Australia’s most systemically important financial institutions and a global institutional investor with AU$375B of assets under management for 2.4 million members.
Prior to this, he spent 25 years with Mercer and Marsh McLennan, including as Global Chief Commercial Officer, driving profitable growth across 46 countries and 200 cities; and President, International, leading 10,000 colleagues with P&L accountability across 42 countries and 175 cities.
David brings more than two decades of board and governance experience across six highly regulated international markets - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China, Japan and the United Kingdom - including more than five years as a Non-Executive Director of a listed financial services company.
Over the past twenty years, David has co-authored ten published pieces of research and perspectives on the future of cities, growth economies, customer trust, financial wellbeing, retirement readiness, employee benefits and workforce trends.
Perspectives
Our thinking is shaped by four decades of global executive and board experience, and by continuing conversations with Boards, CEOs and investors.
Leadership outcomes
3.5X
Global revenue growth rate over three years.
33%
Operating model simplification to increase clarity, accountability and decision speed.
1.4 million
Customers under age 50 moved to a higher-growth investment strategy to improve long-term retirement outcomes.
+1,196 bps
EBIT margin expansion over four years.
Partnering and collaborating for better
David's drive for growth and excellence is matched by his enormous heart for investing in people. David builds high-performing teams who embrace a growth mindset and chase positive impact, all while having some fun along the way.
Kristy
International Chief of Staff,
United States
One of the most influential managers and mentors in my work career. I learned so much from David's multi-disciplinary approach in creating something great for partners and members.
Phil
Digitech Platform Founder,
United Kingdom
David believes in leading from the front, his passion and drive mean that he gets things done, and inspires the people that work with him.
Adam
Head of Investments,
New Zealand
David is an inspirational leader with the ability to see the big picture and the detail in all that he does. He has the ability to draw his team towards organisational goals effortlessly.
Sue
People & Culture Leader,
Australia