Smartgroup Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Smartgroup has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, technology, risk, people, and market expansion.

Driven by a commitment to enhancing employee value, Smartgroup specializes in salary packaging and fleet management, enabling Australian organizations to offer tax-effective benefits that boost disposable income and reduce employer administrative burdens.

Leadership Roles at Smartgroup

  • Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director - Scott Wharton
  • President - Kevin McCreary
  • Chief of Staff - Richard Jackson
  • Chief Information Officer - Alfonzo Venturi
  • Executive. Chief Risk Officer (Chief Revenue Officer). Financial Services. Risk Transformation Specialist. Strategic Project Delivery. Commercial Leadership. Collaborative Business Partnering. People & Amp. Thought Leader - Bijal Desai GAICD
  • Chief People Officer - Amber Kristof
  • Scott Wharton - Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

    Scott Wharton, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director at Smartgroup, directs the overarching corporate strategy and operational execution. Wharton guides the company's expansion within the Australian market, focusing on enhancing employee value through tax-effective benefits and outsourced administrative solutions. This leadership role involves driving the core business model of salary packaging and fleet management, ensuring alignment with market demands for increased disposable income and reduced employer operational burdens. Wharton oversees the integration of cloud-based reporting and streamlined procurement processes, critical for attracting and retaining talent. The Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director ensures that Smartgroup's services, including novated leasing, consistently deliver cost transparency and efficiency for client organizations. Scott Wharton's strategic direction solidifies Smartgroup's position as a key provider in the employee benefits sector.

    Kevin McCreary - President

    Kevin McCreary, the President at Smartgroup, spearheads market expansion and strategic partnerships within the Australian consumer services sector. McCreary drives the growth of Smartgroup's core offerings, including salary packaging and fleet management, by forging key alliances with organizations seeking to enhance employee value. This executive role focuses on expanding the reach of tax-effective benefits and outsourced administrative solutions, ensuring more businesses can help their staff increase disposable income. The President oversees the strategic deployment of services like novated leasing and cloud-based reporting, emphasizing cost transparency and streamlined procurement. Kevin McCreary's leadership is instrumental in solidifying Smartgroup's market presence and driving operational efficiency, thereby reducing the administrative burden on employers and reinforcing the company's value proposition.
    Kevin McCreary

    Richard Jackson - Chief of Staff

    Richard Jackson, the Chief of Staff at Smartgroup, facilitates strategic initiatives and operational alignment across departments. Jackson supports the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director in executing the company's mission to enhance employee value through salary packaging and fleet management. This role involves coordinating cross-functional projects, ensuring seamless communication between leadership and operational teams, and driving the implementation of new administrative solutions. The Chief of Staff plays a crucial part in refining Smartgroup's service offerings, from novated leasing to cloud-based reporting, to maximize cost transparency and streamline procurement for employers. Richard Jackson's focus is on optimizing internal processes and supporting the strategic growth of the business within the Australian market. Jackson ensures that the company's commitment to helping staff increase disposable income while reducing employer burdens remains central to all operations.

    Alfonzo Venturi - Chief Information Officer

    Alfonzo Venturi, the Chief Information Officer at Smartgroup, architects the company's technology infrastructure and digital strategy. Venturi leads the development and maintenance of cloud-based reporting systems and digital platforms that support Smartgroup's salary packaging and fleet management services. This executive ensures the technological backbone enables staff to increase disposable income through efficient novated leasing and outsourced administrative solutions. The Chief Information Officer is responsible for driving innovation in IT, enhancing data security, and optimizing the user experience for both employers and employees. Alfonzo Venturi's oversight extends to ensuring the seamless integration of procurement and reporting technologies, directly impacting the company's ability to offer cost transparency and streamlined operations. Venturi's leadership ensures Smartgroup remains at the forefront of technological solutions in the Australian consumer services sector.

    Bijal Desai GAICD - Executive. Chief Risk Officer (Chief Revenue Officer). Financial Services. Risk Transformation Specialist. Strategic Project Delivery. Commercial Leadership. Collaborative Business Partnering. People & Amp. Thought Leader

    Bijal Desai GAICD, the Executive. Chief Risk Officer (Chief Revenue Officer). Financial Services. Risk Transformation Specialist. Strategic Project Delivery. Commercial Leadership. Collaborative Business Partnering. People & Amp. Thought Leader at Smartgroup, drives financial strategy and risk management. Desai GAICD oversees revenue generation and ensures robust risk mitigation frameworks are in place for salary packaging and fleet management operations. This leadership position involves transforming risk management practices and delivering strategic projects that enhance commercial outcomes. The Executive. Chief Risk Officer (Chief Revenue Officer). Financial Services. Risk Transformation Specialist. Strategic Project Delivery. Commercial Leadership. Collaborative Business Partnering. People & Amp. Thought Leader focuses on fostering collaborative business partnerships and acting as a key thought leader within the financial services domain. Bijal Desai GAICD's expertise ensures Smartgroup's financial health and compliance while supporting the company's mission to help Australian organisations enhance employee value through tax-effective benefits and streamlined administrative solutions.

    Amber Kristof - Chief People Officer

    Amber Kristof, the Chief People Officer at Smartgroup, shapes the company's human capital strategy and fosters a positive organizational culture. Kristof leads initiatives focused on talent acquisition, employee development, and engagement, ensuring Smartgroup attracts and retains the skilled professionals necessary to deliver exceptional salary packaging and fleet management services. This role is pivotal in supporting the company's mission to help Australian organisations enhance employee value by ensuring a high-performing internal team. The Chief People Officer oversees the implementation of HR policies and programs that align with Smartgroup's commitment to cost transparency and streamlined operations for its clients. Amber Kristof's leadership ensures that the people function effectively supports the business objectives, enabling staff to increase their disposable income and reducing the operational burden on employers through efficient administrative solutions and novated leasing.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Smartgroup Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Smartgroup?
    Smartgroup is led by Scott Wharton (Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director), along with executives such as Kevin McCreary (President) and Richard Jackson (Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of Smartgroup’s executive team?
    The executive team of Smartgroup includes leaders such as Scott Wharton (Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director), Kevin McCreary (President), Richard Jackson (Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Smartgroup have?
    Smartgroup has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Smartgroup’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Smartgroup includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, President, Chief of Staff, Chief Information Officer, Executive. Chief Risk Officer (Chief Revenue Officer). Financial Services. Risk Transformation Specialist. Strategic Project Delivery. Commercial Leadership. Collaborative Business Partnering. People & Amp. Thought Leader.