Ian Smith
Ian Smith is a partner at Bespoke Approach, a corporate and political advisory firm. Ian is a joint owner of the business with former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and former Immigration Minister Nick Bolkus.
Ian established boutique consultancy Kortlang Melbourne in 1995 before it was acquired by Gavin Anderson & Company in 1996. As CEO of Gavin Anderson & Company (Australia) and a part of the company's global executive board, he developed the largest and one of the most successful public affairs and financial communications companies in Australia. Ian has consulted to global corporations and top-50 ASX companies on cross-border transactions, crisis briefs and regulatory matters. He led the communications strategy for the Australian Government for the Telstra 3 and the Telstra 2 share offers and on a number of other government privatisations.
He founded Bespoke Approach having observed how, particularly in the United States, former senior politicians can be effectively engaged by companies to assist with their corporate strategies. Since Bespoke Approach started in July 2008, it has been working with major Australian and international businesses on transactions, complex corporate issues in Asian countries, legislative change and helping on matters of general corporate and board reputation.
Ian studied Business and Journalism at the London College of Printing and Journalism, was a journalist at the Advertiser in Adelaide and the Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga and a media advisor to the Liberal Party when in Opposition in South Australia and with the Kennett Government in Victoria.
Ian undertakes a range of no-for-profit roles including: as a director of BakerIDI, the Melbourne-based reseach institute; Chairman of Jirrawun Arts, a East Kimberley arts organisation; and as a advisory board member of the Big Issue. Ian is also a member of the NAB PrivateWealth Advisory Council and recently became a committee member on the Association of Australian Medical Research Institute. He writes for The Australian newspaper and The Spectator magazine.
Ian is married to Natasha Stott Despoja and has two children, Conrad and Cordelia.
