Robert McKay has been chairman of Melbourne University Publishing (2002–2008), as well as director of Macquarie Library (1988-2001); trustee of the State Library of Victoria Foundation (1993–1997); director of Kirin Publishing between 1995–2000; director and chairman of Hutchinson Publishing from 1984–1986; director of Mary Martin Bookshops 1974–1979; director of Macmillan Publishers UK from 1979–1982; and executive director of the Macmillan Co. Australia 1971–1979.
He was made an AM in 2021 for significant contributions to publishing.
