OUR PARTNERS
Andrew Butcher
MANAGING PARTNER
Andrew Butcher has been a consultant to many of Australia’s largest companies since 2010.
Previously, he was News Corporation’s spokesman and personal spokesman for Rupert Murdoch for nearly a decade. He worked on many of the company’s most significant multi-billion dollar transactions and was a trusted advisor across the company globally.
Andrew also worked as Executive Director of Communication and Media Relations at Telstra Corporation, where he advised the company’s Board and CEO and oversaw all media relations and issues management.
He started his career as a journalist with News Corporation papers in Australia and was a correspondent in Japan, New York and Canberra.
Andrew is actively involved in not-for-profit organisations, particularly in epilepsy research and advocacy, and is a Life Member of Museums Victoria.
Ian Smith
FOUNDING PARTNER
Ian has been a consultant for more than 30 years, advising Australian and international clients on complex and often sensitive political issues. He founded Bespoke Approach in 2008.
Ian is a Senior Advisor to the Albright Stonebridge Group, part of Washington-based DGA Group. He was previously CEO of Gavin Anderson & Company and a media advisor to a State Premier.
He is actively involved in refugee advocacy, as director of Barefoot To Boots and is a director of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia.
Ben Mitchell
PARTNER
Ben has worked across corporate affairs, government and the media for more than 30 years. He was General Manager External Affairs and Communication for Rio Tinto (Australia), Director of Public Affairs for the Minerals Council of Australia, and a senior media adviser to a Prime Minister.
Before becoming a Partner at Bespoke, Ben was the director of his own advisory business established in 2017, leading major transactions, national advocacy campaigns, complex corporate issues and crisis responses for Australian and international companies. He is also on the board of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.
Ben was a journalist with The Australian, The Age and The Sunday Age, giving him a deep understanding of media dynamics and newsroom decision-making.
Marie Festa
PARTNER
Marie has more than 20 years' experience in senior executive roles across ASX-listed companies, with responsibility for corporate affairs, stakeholder engagement, investor relations, government relations, sustainability, human resources, change management and innovation.
Her executive career spans property (Mirvac Group, Vicinity Centres), fintech (Afterpay Limited), retail (Cettire), mining (Gloucester Coal, Coronado Coal), transport and logistics (Asciano Limited), and the not-for-profit sector (as CEO of Chief Executive Women).
Marie provides deep capital-markets literacy, strong government and regulatory insight, and an ability to align corporate reputation with long-term strategic outcomes.
Stephen Ries
PARTNER
Stephen Ries has more than 25 years communications experience in Financial Services, Technology and Professional Services.
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Most recently, he led the communications function for ANZ Banking Group, a leading bank in Asia Pacific, where he oversaw all aspects of internal and external communications for the Group.
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As an advisor to the Board and multiple CEOs, Stephen was accountable for the communications response for significant acquisitions and divestments, the Financial Services Royal Commission as well as major corporate restructures and announcements. He also previously led the Corporate Affairs function for ANZ in New Zealand.​
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Prior to joining ANZ, Stephen held senior communications roles at both Accenture in Asia Pacific and Hewlett-Packard in Australia.​
Briony Gleeson
BUSINESS MANAGER
Briony has more than 15 years’ experience, bringing a strong background in HR advisory, financial administration and business management spanning the media, arts, financial services, and government sectors.
She is known for her attention to detail, commercial judgement and ability to manage complex priorities with absolute discretion. Briony plays a central role in ensuring the smooth running of Bespoke, supporting client delivery and internal operations.
Briony is an ambassador for the Epilepsy Foundation and actively participates in research and fundraising efforts to educate others about epilepsy.
CONTACT US
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Bespoke Approach accepts briefs for either retained ongoing relationships or specific, one-off projects. Contact us to find out more.