New CEO to lead NAIF through next phase of operations
A Media Release by The Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources, Minister for Northern Australia, and Member for Brand.
Private equity investment and banking specialist Neil MacDonald has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF). Neil will lead the organisation as it transitions to a long-term investor in jobs, opportunities, and economic growth across northern Australia.
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said Neil was appointed by the NAIF Board for a five-year term after an extensive and open recruitment process. This follows last week’s announcement that the $7 billion NAIF will continue investing in projects across northern Australia for another 10 years, as the government considers the outcome of a statutory review.
“I look forward to working with Neil to further strengthen NAIF as it invests in projects across the north that will create jobs, support First Nations communities, build resilient infrastructure and position Australia as a leader in critical industries,” Minister King said.
“Neil will be pivotal in leading NAIF as it prepares for the next decade of delivering for the people and communities of our north.”
Neil brings extensive leadership experience from industry and government, specialising in private equity investment and banking. He is currently CFO of the government-owned National Intermodal Corporation Limited and has previously held senior roles at JP Morgan, Klesch Group Limited, and in corporate finance for Mining and Primary Steel.
Neil will be based in Cairns and will start as NAIF CEO in early 2026.
Minister King also paid tribute to retiring NAIF CEO Craig Doyle, who has led the organisation since June 2022, overseeing major investments from large-scale resources and energy developments to social infrastructure projects across Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
NAIF currently has 32 project investments – 14 in Queensland, 10 in Western Australia, and eight in the Northern Territory. These represent around $4.3 billion in approved loans, forecast to generate more than $33 billion in public benefit and support thousands of jobs across the north.
Media contact:
James Grubel – 0422 991 765
media.king@industry.gov.au
