Experience

Reputation Edge

• Australia
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Partner and Co-founder

  • Jul 2010 - Present

  Sydney Reputation Edge is an independent corporate communications and PR agency committed to helping companies and organisations to enhance and protect their hard-earned reputations. We are acknowledged experts in corporate reputation management. We provide practical advice and hands-on support based on many years of experience helping large and small companies. manage their reputations and build their brands. Our expertise and capabilities includes PR, corporate communications, crisis… Show more Reputation Edge is an independent corporate communications and PR agency committed to helping companies and organisations to enhance and protect their hard-earned reputations. We are acknowledged experts in corporate reputation management. We provide practical advice and hands-on support based on many years of experience helping large and small companies. manage their reputations and build their brands. Our expertise and capabilities includes PR, corporate communications, crisis and issues management, investor relations, media management, government relations, content creation, digital & social media and marketing communications.. Reputation Edge (formerly GSG Counsel) was founded by Patrick Southam and Mark Gell who collectively have more than 60 years’ experience working at the highest levels in stakeholder and issues management in Australia. Our expertise and experience spans the public and private sectors and diverse industries including resources, banking and financial services, infrastructure and construction, telecommunications and IT, FMCG, transport and logistics and property. www.reputationedge.com.au

• Expert Witness

  • Sep 2019 - Nov 2019

  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia I was retained as an expert witness in media & PR strategy by law firm McPherson-Kelley on behalf of their client Israel Folau to prepare an independent expert report on the Australian Rugby Union's (ARU) communication and crisis response to Mr Folau’s controversial social media posts about religion and sexual preferences. The case was settled out of court in December, 2019.



Charlie Teo Foundation

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Communications & Reputation Counsel (Pro-bono)

  • Sep 2019 - Present

  Sydney



Australian Olympic Committee

• Australia
• Spectator Sports
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Issues and Stakeholder Advisor

  • Apr 2021 - Sep 2021

  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia I was retained by the Australian Olympic Committee to assist the CEO and his Senior Leadership Team with strategic communications planning and implementation for two projects: Announcement of Brisbane as the Host City of the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Management of 'home front’ media and communications for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held in July-August 2021 Issues and crisis management for Olympic Team members returning to Australia from Tokyo who were required… Show more I was retained by the Australian Olympic Committee to assist the CEO and his Senior Leadership Team with strategic communications planning and implementation for two projects: Announcement of Brisbane as the Host City of the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Management of 'home front’ media and communications for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held in July-August 2021 Issues and crisis management for Olympic Team members returning to Australia from Tokyo who were required to enter 2 weeks of mandatory Covid-19 quarantine around Australia Show less


International Association of Business Communicators
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• NSW Board Member

  • Jul 2012 - Nov 2014


BrisConnections Unit Trusts

• Australia
• Freight and Package Transportation

• GM Stakeholder Communications

  • Jan 2009 - Apr 2010

  Brisbane, Australia BrisConnections was a listed company that funded and built Airport Link which was Australia’s largest privately funded infrastructure project at a total cost of $5.6 billion. BrisConnections listed on the ASX in July 2008 as a partly paid $3 share, but the GFC and the market’s general ambivalence towards infrastructure stocks at the time played havoc with its share price. That precipitated a series of well publicized corporate crises and legal challenges that received extensive coverage in… Show more BrisConnections was a listed company that funded and built Airport Link which was Australia’s largest privately funded infrastructure project at a total cost of $5.6 billion. BrisConnections listed on the ASX in July 2008 as a partly paid $3 share, but the GFC and the market’s general ambivalence towards infrastructure stocks at the time played havoc with its share price. That precipitated a series of well publicized corporate crises and legal challenges that received extensive coverage in the Australian and international media throughout 2009-10. Chief amongst these issues was the threat posed by rebel investor Nicholas Bolton who threatened to use his voting muscle to wind up BrisConnections and the project. Working closely with the CEO and Chairman I navigated a range of complex shareholder and project issues to stakeholders including shareholders, project financiers, media and government. Airport Link was successfully completed and opened on schedule in 2012. Show less



ING Australia

• Australia
• Banking
• 700 & Above Employee

• Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications

  • Mar 2007 - Nov 2008

  Sydney, Australia Reported to CEO and led a team of 12 communications specialists across media relations, government & regulatory affairs, internal communications, events, CSR and the ING Foundation.



National Australia Bank

• United Kingdom
• Banking
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Corporate Affairs Manager, Retail Banking

  • 2005 - 2007

  Sydney, Australia Communications lead for NAB's retail bank network encompassing 900+ branches mortgages, credit cards, peronal loans and insurance products. Member of the Retail Bank's Leadership Team headed by Andrew Thorburn. Communications adviser for rollout of the Customer First programme across the retail bank. Launched Retail TV for branch staff and Customer First Roadshows across the country. Media spokesperson on retail banking issues.



Commonwealth Bank of Australia

• United Kingdom
• Retail Office Equipment
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Manager Media and Issues Management

  • 2004 - 2005

  Sydney, Australia Worked across the retail and business banks and Comminsure as a media and issues management specialist. Provided communications adivice and support to business units and conducted media training. Media spokesperson on retail banking issues.



The Boston Consulting Group

• India
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Media Consultant to BCG

  • 2004 - 2005

  Sydney, Australia



Visa

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Corporate Communications

  • 2003 - 2005

  Sydney, Australia Managed the crporate communications and regulatory affairs programme for Visa in Australia and New Zealand. Led the campaign against the Reserve Bank's changes to interchange on credit cards which culimnated in a high-profile legal challenege in the federalc court. Managed Visa's media and PR programme during the 2003 Rugby World Cup sponsorship in Australia.



Philips

• Netherlands
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Head of Corporate Communications

  • 1997 - 2002

  Sydney, Australia Led a team responsible for corporate communications, internal communications, government relations, corporate branding and corporate sponsorships. My team also supported product divisions across consumer electronics, lighting, domestic appliances, mobile phones, speech processing, semiconductors and traffic systems.,



Public Relations Institute of Australia (NSW)

• Board Member and Hon.Secretary

  • Feb 1997 - Feb 2000

  Sydney



Optus

• Australia
• Telecommunications
• 700 & Above Employee

• Government & Public Affairs Manager

  • 1995 - 1997

  Sydney, Australia Managed engagement with media, community and government stakeholders during the rollout of the Optus pay TV and telephony network.



CARLTON AND UNITED BREWERIES

• United Kingdom
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Media & Corporate Affairs Manager

  • Mar 1993 - Dec 1995

  Sydney, Australia Based at the Kent Brewery in Sydney, I managed media, sponsorships and industry engagement for CUB which was Australia's leading brewer producing iconic beer brands including Victoria Bitter, Calrton Draught, Foster's and Carlton Cold.



Royal Australian Navy

• Australia
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Public Affairs Manager

  • 1990 - 1993

  Sydney, Australia



BHP

• 1 - 100 Employee

• Media Relations Manager

  • 1988 - 1990

  Newcastle, Australia



West Australian Newspapers Limited

• Journalist

  • 1986 - 1988

  Perth, Australia



The Australian

• Australia
• Newspaper Publishing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Journalist (Mining, business & finanace)

  • 1984 - 1986

  Perth, Australia