GRC Partners up and running in New Zealand, led by Mark Watts
16 May 2018
Clemenger Group NZ today announced the establishment of GRC Partners in New Zealand.
“We are delighted to announce the establishment of GRC Partners as a firm specialising in public affairs and strategic communications counsel,” said Jim Moser, CEO of Clemenger Group New Zealand.
“The firm will be ably led by Managing Partner Mark Watts, who brings 25 years of experience to the role having counselled chief executives, board members and a prime minister.”
GRC Partners is the local partner firm of GRACosway in Australia, and part of the broader Clemenger Group, Australasia’s leading marketing and communications company. It will provide strategic public policy, regulatory, issues management and government relations advice across all industry sectors to New Zealand and international clients.
Mark Watts has previously held senior in-house and consultancy positions at several of New Zealand’s leading companies, including SkyCity, Westpac, Telecom (now Spark) and BNZ. Between 1996 and 2002 he was a press secretary to Rt Hon Helen Clark.
Mark’s advice to his clients is informed by a deep strategic perspective, and his extensive networks across the worlds of New Zealand business, politics and the news media.
“I’m thrilled by this opportunity to establish GRC Partners, backed by the longstanding experience and perspectives of GRACosway in Australia,” Mark Watts said.
“My job is to help our clients make sound commercial and reputational decisions, based on a strategic appreciation of the public affairs and corporate environment here in New Zealand.”
Mark Watts said the founding clients of GRC Partners come from a range of industries, including banking and financial services, and infrastructure.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in and build the GRC Partners offering here in New Zealand, across these and other industries.”
About Mark Watts
Mark Watts is the Managing Partner of GRC Partners in New Zealand. With a 25-year career counselling chief executives, board members and a prime minister, Mark provides GRC Partners’ clients with expert advice in public affairs and strategic communications.
Mark has held senior positions at several of New Zealand’s leading companies, including Telecom (now Spark) and BNZ. Between 1996 and 2002, he was a press secretary to Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Mark’s advice to his clients is informed by a deep strategic perspective, and his extensive networks across the worlds of New Zealand business, politics and the news media. Mark has a track record of helping long-established organisations to act in new ways, as shown by his successful advocacy for Bank of New Zealand’s establishment of a community finance scheme in 2014.
Mark is based in Auckland and travels to Wellington on a regular basis.