New Public Affairs Director to lead Canberra office
We extend a warm welcome to Matthew Hawkes, who joins our Public Affairs practice as a Director in our Canberra office.
Our newest Director of Public Affairs Matthew Hawkes brings to GRACosway an expansive work history spanning government, policy and regulation, strategic communications, financial services, international business and entrepreneurship.
Clients and colleagues will benefit from Matthew’s deep Federal Government expertise, gained over a decade working in the federal sphere. During this time, he spent four years as Chief of Staff to NSW Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill where he led policy development and stakeholder engagement across the portfolios of Small Business and Financial Services.
In this role, Matthew also sharpened his knowledge of parliamentary processes and procedures through setting up and participating in numerous Senate inquiries and committee hearings, including for the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (PJCCFS).
Matthew’s impressive financial services knowledge and experience further bolsters GRACosway’s specialist expertise in this area. He has undertaken complex projects in the areas of in AML-CTF legislation, foreign investment, payment systems, auditing, life insurance and small business protections whilst working for the Senator. Immediately prior to joining the firm, Matthew was a senior policy manager for the Financial Services Council (FSC), the peak body for the financial services sector.
Richard King, GRACosway’s Managing Partner – Public Affairs, said: “We are thrilled to have someone of Matt’s calibre and experience in financial services and Federal Government at GRACosway. His combination of political, government and consulting experience coupled with his skills in strategy and policy development will be of great benefit to the firm.”
Matthew said: “I look forward to working with Kirsten, Richard and the whole GRACosway team to deliver on behalf of our clients. A new government brings new opportunities, and I am keen to ensure that our clients are in the best position to make the most of what lies ahead.”
Matthew worked for a Federal Government agency for six years where he contributed to major governance reforms which improved probity and efficiency in the administration of Federal grants. Before commencing his career in government and policy, Matthew worked at a management consulting firm in New York.
Matthew is a graduate of Western Sydney University and holds a Bachelor of Laws. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
Find out more about our Public Affairs services:
Richard King
Managing Partner – Public Affairs
+61 407 766 633
[email protected]
Matthew Hawkes
Director – Public Affairs
+61 414 629 559
[email protected]