We help people in the
cultural and creative
industries thrive.

Drop us a line

For Business

Strategy, review and advice for businesses doing the interesting stuff.

For Government

Bespoke consultancy, research and training, focusing on creative and digital industries.

For Not-for-Profits

Strategic planning, training and specialist projects for social enterprises.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Visit our specialist M&A firm, Fletcher Sharpe.

Our Difference

We’re specialists: we get creative and digital businesses.

We listen: we put ourselves in your shoes.

We get you: we’ve worked as creative practitioners, business owners and in government positions for the creative industries. We understand your world.

Business

We talk you through the big decisions to help your business thrive.

We provide business plans, operational reviews, business coaching and bespoke consulting on specific challenges.

Our clients include businesses in architecture, advertising and communications, app development, design (including graphic design, web design, industrial design), events, film and TV, games, marketing and PR, media and entertainment, music and performing arts, publishing, software development and visual arts.

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Strategic and business plans
Whether you’re planning for the future or want to overcome obstacles, we can help you take a holistic look at your business and explore pathways for success. We believe in a process that is iterative and collaborative. As the world changes around us we need to learn to adapt and we help our clients adopt this mindset.

Business health checks
Get a snapshot of where your business stands and improvements you can make. We look at four key areas: strategy, operations, sales and marketing and finance. We create a report that helps you understand areas that need attention and we set priorities for actionable items.

Government

We provide expert advice and analysis.

We undertake a range of bespoke consulting projects for government organisations, seeking expert advice on creative industry issues.

Research and analysis
We undertake specialist consulting projects that inform and advise on a range of specific challenges that impact the arts and creative industries.

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Financial analysis
We provide financial analysis to help funding agencies make considered funding decisions. We create succinct and clear reporting on organisations and their financial model and sustainability.

Grant assessment and analysis
We undertake assessments for grant based programs based on our knowledge of the industry.

Our clients: Australia Council for the Arts, City of Sydney, Create NSW, Creative Partnerships Australia, Creative Victoria, NSW Department of Education, Screen Australia, Screen Territory, South Australian Film Corporation and Wollongong City Council.

Not-for-Profits

We help your organisation prosper.

For not-for-profit organisations, we:

  • write strategic plans and undertake operational and governance reviews and
  • deliver financial and governance training for staff and boards.

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Our clients include arts organisations, screen industry bodies, and charities in the health care sector. We understand the issues specific to NFP organisations and tailor our approach to your organisation’s specific circumstances.

Our clients: Aids Council ACT, Carriageworks, Gondwana Choirs, LGBTI Alliance, Media Resource Centre, Outloud, Performing Lines, Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation, State Opera of South Australia, Regional Arts NSW, Urban Theatre Projects.

David Sharpe

David Sharpe

Business Advisor

David Sharpe is a management and business consultant, specialising in creative and digital industries companies. His focus is on assisting business owners to identify and pursue opportunities for growth. Hundreds of clients around Australia have benefited from his ability to mix business nous with a keen understanding of the creative process.

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His clients include companies in design, app development, games, film & TV,
performing arts, media & communications, events management and architecture. In all, he has 15 years’ experience in coaching and advising creative industry
clients.

He has held senior positions with Generate (specialist accountants to the creative
industries) Creative Industries Innovation Centre and Australia Council for the Arts, and been a business advisor in the federal government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, contracted to Deloitte and Business Australia.

He holds a Masters in Management (UTS), is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is undertaking a PhD on entrepreneurship in the Creative Industries. He has taught at UTS and at the Australian Film, Television & Radio School, and given guest lectures at NIDA and University of Wollongong.

Ann Hinchliffe

Ann Hinchliffe

Business Advisor

Ann’s strategic planning, advice and facilitation has guided the growth, income generation, effective delivery of mission and impact across the creative sector.

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For creative companies and government agencies, Ann solves complex issues and delivers high quality growth outcomes: combining her analytical, planning and financial skills with a deep understanding of the needs of the creative sector.

Her broad experience includes all levels of government, not-for-profit organisations, professional associations, consultancies and private companies. Whilst specialising in the creative sector, Ann has also established transformational, capacity-building initiatives in the water, environment and public parklands sectors.

Ann holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology and Certificate in Aboriginal Cultural Awareness, EORA TAFE; and recent professional development includes Learn to Lead, Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW; and Social Return on Investment Methodology: Social Ventures Australia

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