Our team

With more than 20 years’ experience, Richard is a seasoned communications leader with a track record of delivering ideas that cut through. A specialist in multi-channel strategy, he believes in the power of storytelling to shape perception and drive results.​

​He has held senior roles across leading PR and media networks, including a decade at one of the world’s top communications groups, where he led award-winning brand experiences that connected with audiences and delivered impact across industries.​

Richard has held senior public relations roles in mining, finance, and building materials companies over 20 years.​

​His expertise is in reputation and issues management with a background in community engagement, business advocacy and media. Before Bastion, Richard founded and led Daymark with John. Prior to that, Richard led reputation building initiatives at the National Australia Bank, where he pioneered new approaches to community banking and finance and Indigenous affairs. He also spent 15 years in the mining and building materials industries overseeing complex community and government approvals for mineral and manufacturing developments.​

John began his career in public relations as a researcher for a senior Federal Parliamentarian before moving into consultancy and in-house roles across the banking, finance, and public transport sectors. He has held senior positions at the National Australia Bank, where he also helped establish specialised commercial banking practices in healthcare, education, food, fibre and beverage, and government business.​

Before Bastion, John served as Stakeholder Communications Director for Myki, Victoria’s public transport ticketing system, and later went on to found and lead Daymark Agency, a boutique consultancy specialising in corporate and stakeholder communications.​

Andrea brings over 20 years’ experience in communications, having held senior roles across global media companies and advertising agencies. She is a seasoned Client Director and Project Manager, with expertise in client engagement, team leadership, workflow strategy, and delivering solid commercial outcomes.

Andrea has led large client service teams and managed major accounts across government and blue-chip private sector clients, including the Victorian Government. Her industry experience spans FMCG, finance, automotive, health, and retail. Prior to joining Bastion Reputation, she was Australian Client Service Director at a global agency, overseeing client experience, brand strategy, and multi-channel campaign delivery.​

Jim has extensive experience in both in-house and agency roles in national consultancies in Australia and Asia.​ His career has spanned the private, public and not for profit sectors, including leading communications and government relations teams in major government infrastructure projects, airports, aerospace, airlines and transport, resources, telecommunications and higher education.

Jim has previously worked at BHP, City of Stonnington, Transport for Victoria, Qantas, Brisbane Airport Corporation and most recently, nbn co.

Mark has worked in corporate and government affairs roles in the public, private and political sectors for over 30 years. Prior to Bastion, Mark worked at Daymark for a decade. Mark was the Director of Corporate Affairs for Transdev Australasia and Connex Melbourne between 2004-2015. Mark also worked for eight years at Tourism Victoria and was an adviser to the Victorian Tourism Minister.

Mark’s passion is building great teams and helps to focus executives and organisations on the vital importance of building, managing and protecting reputation and guides them to understand the political environment to help build success.

Jeremy brings 20 years’ experience in stakeholder relations, crisis and reputation management, senior counsel, and executing effective strategic communications. He has worked across a range of industries including major events, elite sport, tech, finance, FMCG, government and superannuation​.

Prior to Bastion, Jeremy was the Head of Communications at the Essendon Football Club guiding the club through the ASADA and WADA crises, and helped rebuild the brand of the Australian Men’s Cricket Team following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. He has also worked in metro and regional media outlets including Network Ten, Fox Sports, SBS and WIN TV.

Katrina is a Media Trainer, Journalist, and Presenter with over 20 years’ experience across television, radio, and print. As a long-time on-camera reporter and anchor for Network Ten, she developed a sharp news sense and deep understanding of audience engagement.​

​Her career has spanned high-pressure reporting on emergency incidents, radio presenting with ABC, magazine writing in Hong Kong, and podcast hosting for a national charity. Now Bastion Reputation’s Media Trainer, Katrina equips clients across industries with the skills to communicate with confidence and clarity in any media or public speaking setting.​

Felicity’s passion for creative campaigns, powerful narratives, and a strategic approach started with a career in book publishing, working closely with leading Australian and international authors. This led to senior roles at leading public relations consultancies across Melbourne and Singapore, working across healthcare, government, consumer, business and professional services sectors.​

Felicity’s expertise lies in communication strategy, media relations, stakeholder engagement, community relations, and issues management. Her career includes a role as Public Relations Manager at Australia Post, among other senior positions. She holds a Master in Communication from RMIT University.

Carolyn is a former journalist and lawyer working across clients in the community, technology, manufacturing and transport sectors. She worked as a finance and features journalist for thirteen years, including stints with The Age, The West Australian and The Daily Telegraph (UK), before moving into stakeholder and policy roles, and then into broader corporate affairs and reputation advisory.

Carolyn has experience working with listed and unlisted companies as well as not-for-profit organisations, building profile and navigating periods of change. She draws on her media expertise to protect and enhance reputation through proactive and reactive media engagement.

Jake is a seasoned communications specialist with a background in producing some of Australia’s most recognisable sports, news and current affairs programs across major television and radio networks, including Sky News and 3AW. He has advised leading businesses, not-for-profits and peak bodies on media strategy and campaign development.

His media experience includes coverage of major national stories such as the 2018 ‘Sandpaper Gate’ fallout, Victoria’s COVID-19 response, and Cardinal George Pell’s post-release interview. In 2017, he was nominated as one of Australia’s top Talk/Current Affairs producers at the ACRAs.

Clare is a media relations and communications professional with more nearly several years’ experience working for agencies and a major broadcast network.​​
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Working across finance, property, government and tech clients, Clare has developed a strong interest and understanding of the Australian media landscape through managing media opportunities and producing materials. ​She has also developed strong client service skills from her involvement in a range of projects, campaigns and events.

Prior to joining Bastion, Clare worked as a public relations account executive at integrated PR, content and creative agency, Keep Left.

Issey is a communications professional with three years of experience in corporate communications. Working across the defence, justice, health, and community services sectors in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, Issey has gained a deep understanding of managing digital channels and developing media strategies for complex issues.​ She takes a strategic approach to designing and executing marketing communication plans while effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders.​​

Issey holds a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Melbourne.