Sam Guthrie Email & Phone Number

Sydney, Nsw, Au

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Member of the Austrade Executive reporting to the Deputy CEO, advising CEO and Ministers. The role leads a division of 60 government relations and policy development experts to manage all aspects of the agency’s engagement across Federal and State Government stakeholders, advocating policy initiatives and reforms to enhance opportunities for global businesses and international investors, drawing on the commercial insight of Austrade’s 700 business development managers across core regions (North Asia, Americas, Europe, South East Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Pacific). Working at the nexus of international business, foreign direct investment and geo strategic policy, the division has responsibility for:- developing the corporate strategy in alignment with government priorities, and managing reputational issues associated with Austrade's priority stakeholders.- managing all aspects of Austrade’s ministerial and parliamentary engagement including advising ministers and their offices, representing the agency as a witness at Senate Estimates, Parliamentary Inquiries and National Cabinet related Ministerial Councils.- collaboration with portfolio agencies on areas of priority government policy: Net Zero, Economic Security, Critical Technology, Critical Minerals, Defence (AUKUS pillar 2), Foreign Investment policy (FIRB) and Strategic Relationships (including ASEAN, Quad,Indo Pacific).- managing all aspects of the agency’s Federal Budget strategy, related advocacy for new policy proposals and leading Austrade’s contribution to policy development, delivery and evaluation.- leading Austrade’s Chief Economist and Chief Data Officer roles, producing reports, insights, dashboards and related data narratives to guide agency strategy, support client teams with flagship products including the Benchmark Report and Austrade’s Green Economy prospectus. - coordination of Ministerial travel including PM led delegations to Indonesia, India, United States, Japan.

Australia

Ex Officio

Sydney, Australia

Member of AGL’s Executive Leadership Team, with General Management responsibilities for a 30 person national Government & Stakeholder team during a period of major cultural and structural change. I provided strategic counsel to the CEO, Board and Executive Team on policy engagement and advocacy, assisting the enterprise to navigate a complex stakeholder landscape, including managing AGL’s reputation and partnerships with federal & state governments, regulators, customers, communities, investors and other business and third party stakeholdersACHIEVEMENTS· Increased AGL’s Quality of Engagement Score with key federal, state government, opposition, regulator stakeholders to 93% in 2021, from 86% in 2020 and 51% in 2019 as per objective third party measurement (Newgate Research Perception Audit)· Secured Federal government support for AGL’s closure of the Liddell Power Station and our transition plans for the Upper Hunter, overcoming four years of highly public opposition to closure, the initiation of the Liddell Taskforce· Secured major policy outcome to power AGL customer, Portland Aluminium Smelter, protecting 500 jobs and triggering $150m in government policy support. · Restructured the Government and Stakeholder team - during COVID lockdown. Team was empowered to operate with agility and autonomy with an emphasis on innovation resulting in engagement scores increasing from 38% in mid 2019 to 84% in 2020· Managed AGL’s reputation with key stakeholders through ongoing high profile major issues and government policy changes, including workforce safety and access to site during COVID; establishing AGL’s COVID customer support program to manage hardship customers; managing AGL’s response to the 2019 bushfires; thermal asset closure changes recommended by the Energy Security Board, as well as changes to disconnections and price related policies and the National Energy Market 2025 policy review.

Hong Kong

Ex officio position on the Board of The Australian Chamber of Commerce (the largest Chamber outside of Australia), representing 600 businesses using HK as a North Asia hub.

Hong Kong

Serving as a senior diplomat, I was responsible for cultivating productive relationships at the highest levels with government and business stakeholders. With the objective of managing and promoting the reputation of Australia and Australian related business and investment opportunities, my role was to provide high level insight and briefings on political and economic issues while driving foreign direct investment outcomes through account management and stakeholder engagement with HK investors, Australian state governments, industry bodies, corporate partners and other sell-side intermediaries. Showcasing prime opportunities in priority sectors such as Major Infrastructure, Tourism Infrastructure, Agribusiness & Food, Resources, Advanced Manufacturing & Health, I also worked with CEOs and Boards on the development of public affairs and communications strategies including issues and reputation management to help these clients understand and navigate stakeholder interests in Australia and Greater China. My functional role included leadership of the Hong Kong team.- Supported multibillion-dollar investor outcomes by introducing investors to Australia and assisting them in finding suitable opportunities, driving the achievement of $1.2BN of transactions in 2.5 years;- Account managed a portfolio of major investors pursuing high profile transactions between Hong Kong and Australia, including Chow Tai Fook ($4BN acquisition of gas and electricity provider Alinta Energy), CKI ($7.4BN acquisition of DUET), China Resources ($1.7BN stake in cancer and cardiac services provider GenesisCare); - Elevated the reputation of Australia as a preferable FDI destination by diving unprecedented number of delegations and VIP events, including overseeing the first visit from the Australian PM since 1983; - Developed model to service AU start-ups exploring global growth, partnering with HK corporate and using relationships to link bilateral opportunities and access VC funding

Sydney

Initially joining Kreab (Gavin Anderson) Worldwide prior to the creation of boutique integrated communications agency Newgate Communications, I set up and led the Trade & Investment practice. I built consultative relationships with clients, oversaw project teams and consultants spanning Beijing, Hong Kong, the US, Canada and Europe, providing government affairs, media and communications advice to clients on high profile domestic and international matters. - Built the practice from the ground-up into a 7-figure revenue line in 18 months, recruiting a team of 4 that was supported by expert senior advisers in North America, Europe and China; - Developed international trade communications and positioning strategies and messaging for major commodity groups seeking to penetrate the Chinese domestic market, including the Australian Seafood, Beef, Cattle and Pork industries;- Provided high level advice on issues management and stakeholder engagement during high profile and contentious transactions, including Dalian Wanda/Goldfields House ($1.3b) and Baosteel/Aquila Resources ($1.4b); - Advised ASX listed companies such as Eclipx Group on pre IPO brand strategy and Brickworks on issues relating to shareholder and financial media engagement;- Engaged by clients including Woolworths Ltd, Talisman Energy (now Repsol), TAFE NSW, Transport for NSW, Jobs for NSW, University of Technology Sydney and the National Farmers Federation to perform stakeholder research and develop frameworks to reshape engagement strategy across external audiences.

Sydney, Australia

Appointed China Country Director to reposition the Woolmark licensing business and stabilise China’s declining membership revenues by creating additional value for >600 licensees, I took on the role of GM, Global Business Development in 2010 to reposition the brand and its value proposition in the premium fashion market, globally. A highly strategic role with full P&L responsibility and leadership accountability for 100+ staff dispersed across the globe, I engaged with high profile brands, designers, manufacturers and media outlets to develop stakeholder partnership and communications activities elevating the brand across global markets. - Transformed a dilapidated brand with bruised past into a standard that secured industry and government engagement, creating a grand narrative and value proposition for the company;- Repositioned the Woolmark brand and returned it to its former 1960s status, architecting a number of well received campaigns with Loro Piana, Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, Savile Row, and media partners Esquire and Vogue Italia;- Supported a 2x increase in price of wool per kilo, reversing a multi-year period of decline by initiating global prices, improving return for Australian farmers, the business’ shareholders.

Sydney Area, Australia

Engaged initially to support the development of the Wool industry’s ‘China Strategy’ with the objective of setting up a China office to covert the latent opportunity of a $13BN market. I provided advice to the CEO, Board and Chair on government relations pertaining to China trade issues and presented recommendations leading to the establishment of key advocacy forums such as the Australia China Wool Trade Advisory Committee. During this time, I held full oversight of all campaign activity including trade, media and B2B communications, delegations to Canberra and participation in larger advocacy platforms involving key Australian corporates. - Established a credible government advocacy platform via the delivery of the ‘China strategy’ in order for the Australian wool industry to successful manage policy and trade concerns.

International Company Director'S Course, Graduate

Master Of International Relations, International Political Economy

Bachelor Of Professional Communications (First Class; Hons)

Bachelor Of Arts, Communications

High School Certificate