Simon Guttmann

Simon’s experience covers the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. He has deep expertise in financial services and economic & industry development, and broad experience across education and training, health, the environment and water.

Project experience

Strategy development

• Project management of a business simplification strategy for the financial planning arm of a diversified financial services company. The recommendations helped to streamline the business and identified opportunities to build annual revenue and achieve annual savings greater than 10%.
• Development of a major new product channel strategy for a group of superannuation funds. Simon completed sophisticated analysis that quantified financial benefits for funds and members.
• Development of the retail banking strategy for a mid-sized bank. Comprehensive research into the competitiveness of the bank's products led to specific recommendations to boost profitability.
• Assisted a major hospital investigate the viability of a multi-million dollar building redevelopment. The implications of varied tenant structures and different financing options on financial viability were considered.

Public policy development

• Assisted a state treasury department improve the provision of evidence based advice for the treasurer. The treasurer subsequently noted an increase in the quality of advice.
• Project managed the development of a creative industry strategy for a state government. Simon led the construction of an authoritative evidence base on the economics of the industry and facilitated industry workshops.
• Development of a content management strategy for a major state government health and well-being web site. The strategy provided specific recommendations to achieve more efficient operations, supported by robust governance and effective marketing.
• Designed and facilitated a number of forums with Industry Skills Councils to assist the Australian Government allocate training places. The forums explored the dimension and reasons behind the labour and skills shortages facing industry, the consequences of those shortages, what industry was doing to respond and the role governments could play to assist industry.
• Reviewed the merits of a suite of Australian Government workforce programs, modelling the program's current and expected effectiveness and efficiency against projected supply and demand and skill requirements, and future formulating options for policy change.
• Created and conducted training courses on the policy process for Australian and state government departments and agencies. Participant reviews were consistently excellent.

 Organisational capability

• Defined the future direction of a major government-owned utility by clarifying its fundamental reason for being (its purpose) and the behaviours required to bring it to life. This involved responsibility for employee engagement, including facilitation of employee workshops and an organisation-wide survey.

Education / accreditation / board membership

Doctor of Philosophy (Economics), Monash University

Bachelor of Economics (Honours), Monash University

Economic Policy stream of the Washington Semester Program, American University, Washington, D.C.

Past employment

Simon has worked for the Victorian Government in New York, with responsibility for attracting foreign direct investment to Victoria and assisting Victorian exporters. Simon developed and presented sales pitches to promote Victoria as a business destination across numerous sectors, facilitated a number of US investments into Victoria and built an extensive pipeline of investment opportunities. Simon’s other professional experience includes the Reserve Bank of Australia, Federal Reserve Board of Governors (Washington, D.C.) and Productivity Commission.

Interests

Simon loves the outdoors, especially walking and swimming, and also loves reading and hoarding books. He believes he has a great sense of humour, and agrees with the common assessment that ‘Flying High’ is the greatest comedy of all time.