top of page

Why GNG Partners

GNG Partners was formed to deliver high impact practical growth strategy with a collaborative and low fuss approach 

Rowing%2520in%2520the%2520Swedish%2520ar

Disruption is accelerating as barriers to entry disintegrate...

  • Growth has never been more challenging as technology accelerates the rate of disruption and the emergence of new business models

 

  • Access to capital is no longer a barrier to entry with cheap money flooding the market and technology platforms reducing barriers to entry for start-ups and SMEs

 

  • Established companies often can not move quickly while disruptive companies biggest challenge is often focus

... Read more
People%2520and%2520mountain_edited_edite

...requiring more efficient practical growth strategy.

  • With information and expertise readily available alongside countless growth avenues, efficiently finding the “signal in the noise” becomes a critical skill

  • The rate of change requires the competing needs of strategy, operations and investors to be balanced and aligned

  • Strategy then needs to be developed and executed in a way that galvanises the organisation to act nimbly and decisively to remain competitive

... Read more
Rock Balancing

That is why we formed
GNG Partners

  • We find the “signals in the noise” using our unique combination of quantitative strategy consulting and growth focussed operational and investment experience

  • We work closely and collaboratively with you, using small teams that deliver high-impact growth solutions with a “low fuss” approach

  • We partner with high potential companies of all sizes using flexible fee structures that also give us ‘skin in the game’

... Read more
Rowing%2520in%2520the%2520Swedish%2520ar

Disruption is accelerating as barriers to entry disintegrate...

  • Growth has never been more challenging as technology accelerates the rate of disruption and the emergence of new business models

 

  • Access to capital is no longer a barrier to entry with cheap money flooding the market and technology platforms reducing barriers to entry for start-ups and SMEs

 

  • Established companies often can not move quickly while disruptive companies biggest challenge is often focus

People%2520and%2520mountain_edited_edited.jpg

...requiring more efficient practical growth strategy.

  • With information and expertise readily available alongside countless growth avenues, efficiently finding the “signal in the noise” becomes a critical skill

  • The rate of change requires the competing needs of strategy, operations and investors to be balanced and aligned

  • Strategy then needs to be developed and executed in a way that galvanises the organisation to act nimbly and decisively to remain competitive

Rock Balancing

That is why we formed GNG Partners

  • We find the “signals in the noise” using our unique combination of quantitative strategy consulting and growth focussed operational and investment experience

  • We work closely and collaboratively with you, using small teams that deliver high-impact growth solutions with a “low fuss” approach

  • We partner with high potential companies of all sizes using flexible fee structures that also give us ‘skin in the game’

Team Profiles

The GNG Partners team has strong global experience across strategy and operations

Nigel Cropped.jpg

Nigel Dews

Managing Partner

nigel.dews@gngpartnersingrowth.com

+61433133313

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Nigel has extensive experience in technology, finance, media, telecommunications, energy, FMCG, and venture capital. This experience has spanned executive, board and consulting roles in both public and private companies.


Nigel was born in New Zealand, grew up in Australia and has lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the US. Nigel began his career as an Economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia before undertaking an MBA at London Business School and going on to join McKinsey and Company, where he honed his strategy skills.


Following this, Nigel has held leadership roles in many growth companies including as CEO of Fairfax Digital, 3 Mobile, Vodafone Australia, MessageMedia and European start-up, Hue. He later joined Port Jackson Partners, a leading Australian boutique strategy firm, as a Director and shareholder, where he worked mainly on practical growth strategy.

Nigel is also an Operating Partner with OneVentures, a leading Australian technology and healthcare venture capital firm with over $500m in funds under management.

Graham Cropped.jpg
  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Graham has experience in energy, technology, agriculture, manufacturing, FMCG, venture capital and infrastructure.


Graham grew up in New Zealand and has lived and worked in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the US and Asia. Graham began his career as a structural engineer for the global consulting firm Arup, working on major building projects in New Zealand and Australia prior to joining Port Jackson Partners, a leading Australian boutique strategy consulting firm, where he developed his practical strategy skills.


Following his desire to develop his operational skills, Graham joined Alliance Group, the largest global lamb exporter to start their Food Service business to diversify them away from commodity product. After successfully building the business in Europe and developing the global roll-out plan, he joined MessageMedia to establish their European office and lead Europe based acquisitions.

Graham is married with a daughter and enjoys most sports and getting into the country.

Gordon Cairns Headshot square.png

Gordon Cairns

Senior Adviser

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Gordon has over 30 years’ experience as a CEO, senior executive, non-executive director, chairman and senior advisor across the UK, USA, NZ and Australia in major public and private companies and the not-for-profit sector.

Gordon is a Celt, born in Bridge of Allan, Scotland and was educated at the University of Edinburgh. He started his career with Nestle, followed by Cadbury, the Imperial Group, Yum and PepsiCo where he worked for 10 years on three continents in Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance and General Management. He joined Lion (an ASX top 50 beer and wine business), initially as the Managing Director of Australia, followed by 7 years as CEO.  During his tenure, the company was consistently recognised and awarded as a best employer – amongst the 10 best companies to work for in Australia.

In 2004 Gordon moved from being a full-time executive to serve as an NED with Westpac, Macquarie Group, and South-East Asia not-for-profit microfinance provider Good Return. He has also been Chairman of Quick Service Restaurants, David Jones and Origin Energy. He currently chairs the Woolworths Group, presiding over 6 years of substantial shareholder value creation.

Additionally, Gordon has been a senior advisor to McKinsey & Company, CVC Australia and Archer Capital. He is currently also senior advisor to Luminis Partners investment bank.

Marek Cropped.jpg

Marek Pazitka

Engagement Manager

marek.pazitka@gngpartners.com.au

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Marek has extensive experience in energy, pharmaceuticals, logistics, entertainment and telecommunications.

Marek grew up in Czechia, where he studied finance, economics and behavioural economics resulting in two masters and one post-graduate degree.

After his graduation, Marek started his career as a management consultant for the global consulting company Kearney, working on over 25 engagements spawning over ten countries and three continents, he developed strong, practical, strategy skillset.

Fellipe.jfif

Fellipe Mendes

Engagement Manager

fellipe.mendes@gngpartners.com,au

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Fellipe has extensive experience in startups, technology, FMCG, and finance.

 

Fellipe grew up in Brazil and has lived and worked in South America, Europe, the US and Asia. Fellipe started his career as an entrepreneur, building an imports and distribution business prior to joining the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, where he developed his strategy and corporate finance skills.

 

Fellipe served a variety of clients across the world as a consultant, then took the challenge to join Blu Pagamentos,, as the head of planning. He has also supported seed funding rounds for several startups.

Ian Kim.jfif

Ian Kim

Associate

ian.kim@gngpartners.com.au

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Ian has completed 20+ engagements across energy, education, pharmaceuticals, hospitality and software.

 

Ian is originally from South Korea but he spent substantial time in Australia and the US for education and as a professional. He has a Bachelor of Engineering from UNSW and a Master of Science from Columbia University.

 

Ian’s Management Consulting journey started when he joined EY-Parthenon after his career as a Product Manager in New York. 

Tom Cropped.jpg

Tom Richards

Analyst

tom.richards@gngpartners.com.au

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Tom has experience in the telecommunications, energy and venture capital industries.

 

Tom grew up in Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Applied Finance from Macquarie University.

Working for Singtel Group’s venture capital fund, Tom was a member of the innovation and partnerships team in Singapore where he drove partnerships with start-ups across the wider group. Following this, Tom joined the fund’s investment team in San Francisco where he focused on technology start-ups that strategically aligned with the group.

Harry Pratt.jfif

Harry Pratt

Analyst

harry.pratt@gngpartners.com.au

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Harry has experience in retail, energy and fashion.

 

Harry grew up in Newcastle and holds a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Newcastle.

 

Harry co-founded and operated a produce delivery service with an online subscription business model prior to joining GNG Partners.

MicrosoftTeams-image (1).png

Tate Putnins

Analyst

tate.putnins@gngpartners.com.au

  • LinkedIn - Black Circle

Tate has experience in technology, energy, banking and real eastate.

Prior to joining GNG Partners, Tate gained operating experience with Westpac, Domain and LinkedIn working in Digital, Marketing, Strategy & Operations.

Tate holds an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from RMIT University.

bottom of page