Orizontas – a new advisory firm focused on market, climate, political and reputational risk

Senior leaders from politics, business and strategic communications have today announced the launch of Orizontas, a corporate advisory firm. With founding partners the?Hon. Philip Dalidakis,?Patrick Gibbons?and?Vanessa Liell?working with a diverse range of Australian and international associates, Orizontas brings deep expertise and authentic networks that span government, business, industry and corporate affairs.

?“We believe now is the right time to open an advisory firm that is solutions-led, values-based, authentic and honest – focused on market, climate, political and reputational risk,” said Managing Partner, the Hon. Philip Dalidakis.

“Boardrooms, CEOs and their executive teams are looking for independent, fearless advice - and that’s what Orizontas will provide,” Patrick Gibbons said.

“Our passion is problem-solving, our experience is deep and our focus is providing real world solutions. Together, we bring practical, hands-on experience and a track record of success and offer a unique combination of skills and experience to solve complex issues,” said Vanessa Liell.

?Orizontas has also announced the inaugural members of its advisory board – former Premier of Victoria?the Hon. Ted Baillieu,?C-Suite executive?Annette Carey?and entrepreneur?Kee Wong.

?Orizontas officially opened today in Sydney and Melbourne and is already working with clients across the energy, resources, technology and healthcare sectors.

?Appendix: Founder Biographies

The Hon. Philip Dalidakis, Managing Partner

Philip is a political, business and industry leader with experience in Federal and State government and significant corporate roles.?He is the former Victorian Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy, Trade and Investment and Small Business; former Executive General Manager, Corporate Services at Australia Post and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Federal Minister for Broadband and the Digital Economy. Philip has extensive experience in executive and non-executive roles in technology, digital and property sectors and currently acts as a director on a range of boards including Impact for Women and the Washington DC based Center for Asia Pacific Strategy.

Philip brings outstanding insight into the state and regulatory environment, innovation and the economy. He has navigated outcomes in the most challenging corporate and political environments through deep knowledge, effective and pragmatic advice, discrete issues execution and deep relationships on all sides of politics. He has a Master of Commerce from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business from Monash University, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Managers & Leaders. He is conversant in Greek and Thai.

?Patrick Gibbons, Partner

Patrick is a former diplomat, policy advisor and business consultant with specialist expertise in climate change, energy, resources, environmental, investment and public policy issues. He understands the connections between these real-world commercial issues and politics.

For almost 20 years he has been at the forefront of Australian climate policy development, advising both sides of politics as a senior member of staff in Federal and State ministerial offices, working for major international energy and resource firms, and the financial sector.

He helped establish key parts of Australia’s current climate policy framework including the Emissions Reduction Fund and Safeguards mechanism. Patrick commenced his career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and represented Australia in the Middle East and at international climate change negotiations. He has a MBA in Energy Finance from the University of Texas at Austin, a MA International Relations and Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from Monash University.

Vanessa Liell, Partner

Vanessa is a strategic communications professional with over 25 years' experience in corporate affairs, agency leadership and entrepreneurship. She is a former Chief Executive and a current Non-Executive Director.?As co-founder and former CEO of Herd MSL, Vanessa and her partners led the growth and performance for more than a decade of one of Australia's largest and most awarded public relations agencies with 75 professional consultants. In 2017, Herd MSL was acquired by Publicis Groupe joining one of the world’s top five advertising networks.

Over her career she has advised boards and CEOs on brand and reputation and delivered integrated communication and marketing campaigns for companies that ranged from Facebook, Airbnb and Instagram to American Express, ING and Westpac to GE, Proctor & Gamble and NBN Co. She also has extensive public sector experience across state and Federal Governments.

She sits on the board of the Crescent Institute, Commtract and the SCEGGS Darlinghurst Trust. Vanessa is the winner of B&T's Women in Media PR Leadership Award, a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and an inaugural Walkley Foundation Women in Media mentor.

She has a MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Communication (Organisational Communication) from Charles Sturt University (Mitchell).