Larry Robertson

Larry is passionate about…
Excellence: “To give my most and be my best, and help others do the same”
Teaming: “To remind myself and others we cannot do it on our own”
Outcomes: “To make a real, lasting difference, and show others how”

Through the twin lenses of clarity and humanity, Larry’s focus is on enabling effective leadership and achieving outstanding, sustainable results. His company mission is to dare leaders to truly lead and help them make a real difference. This is what he has done since 1993 with an ever-increasing range of senior executives across a broad range of organizations around the world. Larry is also credited with helping clients win a current total of over USD 7bn in new business.

Larry founded Robertson Burns in 1993. He advises and coaches chairmen, chief executives, and other talented executives from some of Australia’s largest organisations in the art and science of leadership and communication. He also works with clients in Africa, Asia, Europe, India, the Middle East, New Zealand, the UK and the Americas.

He presents on authentic leadership, effective communication, team engagement & alignment, personal brand, client service, pitching ideas and winning new business. His first book, ‘WHY listen to, work with and follow YOU? The 3 Qualities of True Leaders’, was published in London by Profile Books in November 2023.

Early career
After university, Larry travelled through Asia to Japan where he joined an ore carrier en route to north-west Australia. On arrival, he worked his passage from the open cut mines of the Pilbara to cattle stations in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Victoria to ABC TV in Sydney. On returning to the UK via North America, he spent a brief spell with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

His professional career began in the British army (Irish Guards) serving as a platoon commander in the ‘Far East’, Central America, East Africa, Northern Europe and the UK (incl. N Ireland). At the age of 24, he attained the rank of captain and was appointed for two years as Aide de Camp & Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff (UK). In this role, Larry travelled extensively, meeting with royalty, heads of state, international politicians, diplomats, government officials. military and corporate chiefs, and made regular visits to 10 Downing Street, NATO HQ and the Pentagon.