Designworks appoints business leader to Board to further accelerate regional growth
Auckland, October 10, 2013 - Leading Australasian strategic design firm Designworks has added further grunt to its
senior management structure, appointing highly respected business leader and branding expert Alan Gourdie to the Board.
The former CEO of Telecom Retail takes on the directorship effective immediately, bringing strong leadership skills,
FMCG expertise and a passion for brand building to the table.
He will work closely with Designworks Group CEO Sven Baker to further build each of its Australian and NZ businesses,
with a specific remit to help refine its business model and build the platform to accelerate further growth and
expansion in the wider Asia Pacific region.
“As Designworks continues to grow and develop an integrated and multi-disciplinary offering across its five offices, we
are increasing called upon to not only create the strategic and creative platform for transformation, but also assist in
designing the cultural and operational changes required to deliver a new vision into the market and customer
experience,” he explained.
“We increasingly see our role as inspiring the creative leadership of change. And this is demanding new skills and
capabilities not traditionally associated with a design company.
“Alan, with his impressive corporate and global experience brings an essential new ingredient to the mix. We call this
'Business Design', and it marks the next phase in the firm’s evolution. It's the alchemy of Business Consultancy and
Design Thinking working in harmony to deliver a commercial robust and creatively inspiring plan for growth.
"We are obviously delighted to welcome Alan to the business. Not only is he a highly credentialed and respected business
operator, but most importantly he shares our purpose; ‘To Design and build the most successful and loved down-under brands in the world'. His vast experience in the 'Business Design' and global brand marketing space will be invaluable in helping us realise
our clients’ aspirations.”
An internationally experienced CEO/Managing Director/Global Marketing Director of large, high profile national and
global organisations within the telecommunications and FMCG (pharmaceutical and drinks) industries, Gourdie’s roles have
been based in Amsterdam, Singapore, London and New Zealand. He has worked for brands such as Telecom NZ, Tiger Beer,
Asia Pacific Breweries and Heineken International.
Gourdie said he was excited at the prospect of becoming more closely involved with the Designworks business, after being
a client of the agency for 20 years.
“For me Designworks represents the pinnacle in Design Thinking and future of brand building in the region,” he said.
“Brand building is undergoing a fundamental shift, and the Designworks approach of having specialist capabilities with a
strategic design overview provides an ideal platform for growth. I’m looking forward to working with the talented
Designworks team to really sharpen the offering and future-proof the business.
“As a career marketer, I’m interested in ensuring the core capabilities of Designworks are amplified while helping to
accelerate its growth plans. I’m passionate about building the best brands from Australia and NZ and taking them to the
world, and look forward to being with the agency as it embarks on its next business journey.”
Baker said Gourdie’s consultancy - AG+A, has been working in a strategic partnership with Designworks on a number of
shared client projects over the past year, and was very familiar with the organisation and its aspirations.
Designworks is part of STW, Australasia’s leading marketing content and communications group.
ENDS