Gary McRae

From Detective Work to Digital Transformation — Always Solving the Puzzle

I’ve never been one to follow a straight line.

My career began in homicide investigation, where I learned that every problem, no matter how complex, can be solved by asking the right questions, examining the right evidence, and never settling for assumptions.

That same mindset has shaped everything I do today.

After nearly a decade in law enforcement, I transitioned into marketing and technology, drawn to the challenge of connecting human behaviour, data, and strategy. Since then, I’ve led marketing transformation projects across London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and now Singapore, where I’ve spent the past ten years helping organisations unlock growth through clarity, governance, and creativity.

I hold an MBA and advanced certifications in AI Ethics & Governance, Digital Transformation, and Project Management — disciplines that sit at the intersection of technology, trust, and human decision-making. Those same principles underpin the two ventures I lead today:

• MCR.AE, a fractional CMO and MarTech strategy consultancy helping Singapore SMEs bridge marketing ambition with AI governance and performance accountability.

• The Clarity Practice, an executive coaching and leadership development consultancy.

Over the past two decades, I’ve built and led teams across industries from global law firms and insurers to scale-ups and professional services brands, always focused on one thing: transforming complexity into clarity.

What intrigues me is the same thing that initially drew me to investigative work: analysing patterns, understanding people, and the thrill of uncovering what others miss. Marketing, much like detective work, is about revealing truths: comprehending motivations, connecting clues, and finding stories that inspire action.

Today, I split my time between client strategy, coaching leaders, and exploring the evolving frontier where human creativity meets intelligent technology.

A Few Things That Matter to Me

• Continuous learning and building things that make people think differently.

• Exploring the creative edges — photography, design, and the psychology behind storytelling.

• Leading with empathy and precision — whether in the boardroom or behind a camera.