Meet the Maestro - Saurav

Fractional Expert Queensland, Australia

Saurav - Problem Solver (Industry & Consulting)

At Maestro, we know there’s more to life than work. In fact, it’s the experiences, relationships and pursuits we have outside of work that can often give us an edge in what we do each day. We host an interview series called “Meet the Maestro” where we interview our Maestros and get an insight to who they really are and what makes them tick - beyond the CV.

Suarav is the person you want in the room when things are complicated, the stakes are high and no one quite knows where to start. A natural fixer, he has a knack for cutting through complexity, bringing people together and turning ambiguity into a clear path forward. He’s calm under pressure, commercially minded and equally comfortable talking strategy with a CEO, getting into the detail of a transformation or rolling up his sleeves to work out what needs to happen next. With more than 20 years of experience across aviation, financial services, consulting, engineering, defence, energy, healthcare and government, he’s worked on everything from corporate strategy and large-scale transformation to cost reduction, AI adoption, strategic partnerships and new commercial opportunities. What really drives him is helping organisations achieve ambitious outcomes with the people and resources they actually have, rather than waiting for perfect conditions. He brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a healthy dose of pragmatism to every challenge, along with a genuine belief in leaving things better than he found them. Outside his client work, he gives his time to the Australian Defence Force Reserves, teaches at QUT and advises NFP boards, helping them turn big ambitions into practical, sustainable plans.

1. Tell us about a career highlight to date…

One of the highlights of my career was my time at Airservices Australia, where I had the opportunity to work across some incredibly complex national challenges - from aviation pricing reform and enterprise transformation to drone traffic management, civil-military partnerships, SAP S/4HANA, digital twin capability and major cost transformation. What made it especially meaningful was the breadth and depth of the work: it required strategic thinking, commercial judgment, technical understanding, leading large teams and the ability to lead through complexity in a highly visible environment.

2. Talk us through an unusual career choice you’ve made along the way…

I’ve made a deliberate choice not to follow a narrow or overly linear path. I’ve moved between consulting, industry leadership, innovation and commercial roles, and Defence service over the last 20+ years… which may look unusual on paper, but it has given me a rare blend of strategic, operational and people leadership experience. It has also taught me how to go broad across sectors while still going deep into the substance of the work.‍

3. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was tossing between being a cardiac surgeon, a Defence officer, or someone leading a large global business. Looking back, that probably says a lot about me - I was drawn to high-stakes environments, meaningful responsibility, and roles where you can make a real difference to people’s lives. My father’s career in Defence as a Medical Specialist and our broader family shaped that ambition early on. Looking back I have done 2 out of 3 😊.‍

4. What are your passions outside of work and how do you make time for them?

My wife (Ashleigh) and daughter (Aanya) are my world, so family comes first. Outside work, I care deeply about fitness, mentoring the next generation, giving back to the community, and travelling to places I haven’t yet experienced. I make time for them by being intentional - I’ve learned that the things that keep you grounded and grateful deserve to be scheduled, not left to chance.

5. If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be and why?

I’d love to learn a new language. I think language opens the door to culture, context and connection in a way that nothing else really does, and I’m fascinated by the idea of living and working in a non-English speaking country while continuing to solve problems and build relationships. Maybe something I will do one day…

6. What’s a personal value or belief that guides the way you live your life?‍

I believe in stepping up when it matters and staying steady when things are hard. Whether it’s in work, family or service, I try to lead with integrity, stay calm under pressure, and focus on creating a positive outcome for the people around me.

7. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome outside of work that shaped you?‍

Joining Defence as an officer was one of the most challenging and formative things I’ve done. It took years of demanding training, discipline and persistence, and it tested everything from self-motivation and focus to resilience under pressure. It shaped the way I lead today: staying calm in high-stakes situations, giving others confidence and direction, and remembering that leadership matters most when conditions are hardest.

8. What do you think your job will look like in 10 years time?

I think my work will still centre on solving complex problems and leading major change, but with even more leverage from AI, data and technology. The human side will matter even more, especially in bringing people together, giving direction, building trust and helping teams deliver outcomes that once seemed out of reach. I’m most energised by the unthinkable challenges, so I suspect that part won’t change.

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do?

I’d choose a country where English isn’t the first language, somewhere like Japan/Singapore/Scandinavia and spend time immersing myself in the culture, learning the language, and understanding how people live and work. For me, travel is not just about seeing new places; it’s about expanding perspective, staying curious and learning from different ways of thinking.

10. What does success look like to you?

Success is having a meaningful impact on people and delivering outcomes you can genuinely point to. It’s helping teams achieve what they thought was impossible, creating lasting value, being present for my family, and knowing I’ve used my time and energy in a way that mattered.

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