KPMG Australia has unveiled a new-look leadership team for its Customer, Brand & Marketing Advisory (CBMA) business, including the promotion of Carmen Bekker to lead the expanded business.
She will head up a team that includes several promotions and lateral hires from within the firm including:
- Newly promoted Partner, and financial services specialist, Ben Kilpatrick
- Social media and consumer insights specialist Louise Pogmore, who was promoted to Partner in January 2021
- Payments and products advisory Partner Brett Watson who joins CBMA from the KPMG banking team
Launched in June 2017, the KPMG CBMA business helps clients to achieve growth through customer-centricity. It offers a range of customer focussed advisory services including customer transformation, experience, technology, sales and marketing transformation, customer intelligence, customer creative and design thinking/innovation. It has also launched several innovative services in recent years including a brand value evaluation tools and specialist media advisory. The team now numbers over 100 people, and advises clients across sectors including corporates, government, education, health services, energy and natural resources, and financial services.
Outgoing CBMA Lead Partner Amanda Hicks is taking on a new role as the National Managing Partner – Client Experience & Brand. Continuing as a member of KPMG’s National Executive Committee, she will focus on ensuring the firm truly understands its clients and how well it is delivering to their expectations, particularly through digital experiences. She will also continue to lead the firm’s own brand and marketing strategy.
“Now more than ever, Australian organisations need an enlightened, customer-centric approach to how they interact with their customers,” said Hicks. “In just a few years, KPMG has built a vibrant and diverse marketing advisory business. We are excited to have someone of Carmen’s background and expertise to lead the next phase of the team’s growth. With her deep industry experience, Carmen brings a unique global perspective, and with her newly expanded leadership team – there is no limit to what the CBMA business can achieve.”
Bekker has over 20 years’ experience servicing leading international brands in London, Europe and Australia. Prior to joining KPMG in 2017, she was Management Partner and European Marketing Director for flagship WPP agency J Walter Thomson London and prior to that Business Director at Saatchi & Saatchi in London and Sydney.
Carmen Bekker, KPMG Lead Partner – Customer, Brand and Marketing Advisory commented: “In the future, customer and citizen experience will be the key differentiator for organisations and governments. However the future experience for brands and their customers will be very different, underpinned by constantly evolving technology. The Customer Brand & Marketing Advisory team, working alongside colleagues across the breadth and depth of KPMG, is well placed to lead our clients through this time of disruption.”
