Client Testimonials

Their greatest strength is the capacity they demonstrate to take account of the whole picture. As consultants they work always with a deep understanding of the context in which institutions or sectors are or have been operating and I would always have great confidence in any proposals they make for change.

Professor Denise Bradley AC, Chair, Review of Higher Education in Australia
PhillipsKPA have worked with us on many significant projects for our University. Most notably, they have been excellent in providing guidance and support in our bids for capital funding, for projects that support our students and their learning journeys. The advice they provide is always thorough, well thought out and valuable. They have extensive, high-level knowledge of the higher education sector, and are adept at identifying opportunities that provide us with great benefit. I am always confident that they will provide the knowledge and backing we need to transform.

Professor Peter Dawkins, Vice-Chancellor and President - Victoria University
PhillipsKPA are a class act and I can't recommend David Phillips and his team highly enough. Unlike some consultancy firms, PhillipsKPA are strong on substance and really understand the business of universities. The engagements I've had with PhillipsKPA have all been professional, thorough, and value for money. The last project involved a strategic analysis of the university's position and performance to act as a brief for an incoming vice-chancellor. Their work was comprehensive and insightful and was a significant input into the strategic direction which emerged for the university over the next planning period. PhillipsKPA really excel at this kind of work, drawing on their deep understanding of sector data, benchmarks and financial performance.

Bruce Lines, Chief Operating Officer - The University of Adelaide
For someone with little or no public profile, David Phillips is the personification of influence in higher education. From the mid-1980s, when he was an adviser on student income support, Phillips has had his finger in just about every pie in university town. He's advised two education ministers, headed the higher ed section of the federal education department and been the lead author of so many major reviews and reports it's head-spinning just to think about it. The director of consultancy firm PhillipsKPA is not only a de rigueur contributor to every major review from Bradley to Lomax-Smith but also he has consulted in one form or another to every university in Australia. Oh, and he knows a thing or 50 about training and vocational education.

The Australian Newspaper, 8th February 2012
PhillipsKPA delivered a first-rate outcome[they] understood well the nature of the brief, provided a high level of financial and strategic capability to an enormously complex internal entity, demonstrated an ability to work well with senior colleagues on both academic and administrative sides and delivered a strong analysis, conclusions and recommendations that were able to be implemented.

Ian Marshman, Senior Vice-Principal - The University of Melbourne
Their analysis was thorough, multifaceted, evidence-based and referenced to a good understanding of the intent of the courses and current tertiary policy and practice.

Andrew Rolfe, NSW Department of Education
Thank you so much for your paper and the facilitation yesterday. The feedback we have received from participants is excellent and the workshop has more than met our objectives and provided a great forum for meaningful discussion

Universities Australia
The PhillipsKPA team played a large part in the success of our proposal. Their input was well researched, professionally presented and delivered in line with the tight timeframes demanded. It is a credit to the organisation that despite a number of scope changes over the course of the project, they were still able to offer consistency of personnel whilst identifying suitable supplementary resources to ensure deadlines were met. I would not hesitate to use PhillipsKPA in the future or recommend them to others.

Luke Osland, Senior Project Manager - Major Projects Victoria
The Associate Deans (Teaching and Learning) still regard your time with them as the pivotal turning point for them as a group and as individuals. To them it was a development highlight that has not been outdone since.

Kerri Lawrence, Consultant - Organisational Development Unit - Deakin University
PhillipsKPA assisted us in the preparation of our EIF bid, bringing previous expertise and experience to the table and guiding us in developing our thinking and the proposal. We found PhillipsKPA's advice invaluable and they were very easy to work with. As a result of this assignment we have now developed a very professional working relationship which will benefit us in other projects. I would highly recommend PhillipsKPA.

Tricia Brand, Executive Director, Division of Finance and Resource Planning - James Cook University
I highly recommend PhillipsKPA. The feasibility work that they did for UTS was outstanding. They brought a high degree of professionalism, a depth and breadth of research and incisive analysis to bear in completing a report which gave us a platform for prudent, research informed commercial decision making.

Professor John Daly, Dean, Faculty of Health - University of Technology, Sydney
I would like to thank you for your continued support of the University of the Sunshine Coast, most recently in regards to our Structural Adjustment Fund submission. Our relationship with PhillipsKPA is an important one, which we highly value and look forward to further developing.

Professor Greg Hill, Vice-Chancellor and President - University of the Sunshine Coast
I presented PhillipsKPA's Allied Health reports to the Vice-Chancellor's Committee. There was great interest in the approach and strong endorsement for doing more work on the two areas selected. So thanks again for the really useful work - a very professional approach. Your joint input has helped shape our thinking immensely.

Professor Peter Booth, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor - University of Technology, Sydney
Just a note to thank you for your very professional approach to your work with us and to congratulate you on the quality of the outcome. You have done a remarkable job in the time available. I have no doubt that the report will be a very useful starting point for Peter Rathjen's vice-chancellorship.

Professor David Rich, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost - University of Tasmania
To PhillipsKPA thank you for your thorough work and sound counsel, as well as challenging us to think through both our assumptions and assertions.

Professor Toni Downes, President - Australian Council of Deans of Education
Sincere thanks to the PhillipsKPA team for a well written report which will support our nursing best practice model in Queensland. This was not an easy piece of work to do, but ... (the) team delivered a quality product which will enable us to take it to the next level of consultation.

Cheryl Burns, Nursing Director - Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Queensland Health
Phillips KPA performed a critical and significant change management role for the University ... In fact without the contribution and leadership skills of (PhillipsKPA) I seriously doubt that La Trobe would have been able to make the management transition that was achieved in 2008.

Paul Richardson, Former Vice Principal (Resources and Administration) - La Trobe University
This review was rigorous and the outcomes that were achieved were reflected in the report that will set the direction and targets for the strategic and annual implementation plans. If implemented they will change the culture and the work of this school.

Challenge Partner, DET School Review (2016 Cycle)

Our Team

PhillipsKPA's capability is built on the unique breadth of experience of its consulting team.

David Phillips

David Phillips

Principal Advisor
Craig McInnis

Craig McInnis

Principal Associate
Anne Stewart

Anne Stewart

Manager, Operations & Senior Consultant
John Levine

John Levine

Associate
Christine Ewan

Christine Ewan

Key Associate
Robin Buckham

Robin Buckham

Key Associate
Martin Betts

Martin Betts

Associate
Fran Reddan

Fran Reddan

Associate
Barbara Yeoh

Barbara Yeoh

Key Associate
Peter Yates

Peter Yates

Key Associate
Peter Day

Peter Day

Associate
Ian Kimber

Ian Kimber

Associate
Gwen Tinkler

Gwen Tinkler

Associate
Bruce Chapman

Bruce Chapman

Associate
Phil Clarke

Phil Clarke

Associate
Simon Shiel

Simon Shiel

Associate
Tony Shannon

Tony Shannon

Associate