The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has secured a new leader to guide its future as a long-term investor in the region's economic prosperity. The NAIF board has appointed private equity and banking specialist Neil MacDonald as its new Chief Executive Officer for a five-year term.
A Strategic Leader for a Decade of Growth
Mr MacDonald's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the government-backed lender. It follows the recent announcement by the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Madeleine King, that the $7 billion facility will continue operating for another 10 years. The government is also currently considering the findings of a statutory review into NAIF's operations.
"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 stated.
She emphasised that Neil MacDonald will be pivotal in steering the organisation through its next decade of delivering for communities in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
MacDonald's Background and NAIF's Track Record
The incoming CEO brings substantial financial and investment expertise to the role. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer of the government-owned National Intermodal Corporation Limited. His previous senior roles include:
- Head of Corporate Finance for Mining and Primary Steel at BlueScope.
- Head of Corporate Finance for the Klesch Group Limited.
- Executive Director and Head of Project Finance for Asia Pacific at JP Morgan.
Mr MacDonald will be based in Cairns and is scheduled to commence his duties in early 2026.
Minister King also paid tribute to the outgoing CEO, Craig Doyle, thanking him for his significant contribution since June 2022. Under Mr Doyle's leadership, NAIF approved investments ranging from major resources projects to essential social infrastructure.
NAIF's Current Investment Portfolio
The facility has built a substantial portfolio supporting development across Australia's north:
- 32 total project investments.
- 14 projects in Queensland, 10 in Western Australia, and 8 in the Northern Territory.
- $4.3 billion in approved loans towards these projects.
- Projects are forecast to generate over $33 billion in public benefit and support thousands of jobs.
The appointment of Neil MacDonald signals a new chapter for NAIF as it consolidates its role from a lender into a long-term strategic investor, directly targeting job creation, economic opportunities, and resilient infrastructure for Northern Australia.
