Ian Smith

It was Ian Smith who initiated the concept of Bespoke Approach, first proposing the idea to Alexander Downer and Nick Bolkus in late 2007 with the belief that their complementary skills and pre-eminent political experience could provide significant contributions to leading corporations.

As CEO of Gavin Anderson & Company (Australia) and a part of the company’s global management team, Ian consulted to global corporations and top-50 ASX companies on cross-border transactions, crisis briefs and regulatory matters.

He now works closely with a number of leading investment banks and law firms, and maintains close, positive working relationships with many of their principals.

Ian is Chairman of what has been described as the ‘Rolls-Royce of new systems for the management of Aboriginal art’, Jirrawun Arts, based in Australia’s East Kimberley, and is a director of BakerIDI, one of the world’s leading research institutes studying cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

He remains non-executive Chairman of Gavin Anderson & Company in Australia, chairing its advisory board.