After a successful 2024, Verian Group a leading independent research, evidence, evaluation, and communications agency serving governments and the public realm, is pleased to launch into 2025 with the announcement of five senior executives to bolster its leadership team in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
“Attracting key talent to Verian in APAC was an important objective for me in my first 3 months, and I’m excited that we can announce this initial group who will play pivotal roles in our growth in 2025 and beyond” Gavin Bain, Chief Executive Officer, APAC said.
Melanie Wiese joins as Chief Innovation Officer, APAC, bringing over two decades of experience in strategic planning and innovation. Melanie has a proven track record in driving growth and transformation across various industries, including advertising and marketing. Her most recent role was as Chief Strategy Officer for Wunderman Thompson/ VML Australia, and her expertise will be instrumental in advancing Verian’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions to complex public policy challenges in the APAC region.
Andrew Robertson has been appointed as Consulting Director, New Zealand. With extensive experience in management consulting and a deep understanding of the New Zealand public sector, Andrew is well-positioned to lead Verian’s initiatives in the region. His strategic insights and leadership will enhance Verian’s ability to provide tailored solutions that address the unique needs of New Zealand’s government and public sector clients.
Bettina Spence has been appointed to the role of State Director, New South Wales (NSW). Bettina brings a wealth of experience in public policy and program management within the NSW government. Her comprehensive understanding of the State’s policy landscape will be invaluable in strengthening Verian’s presence and impact in NSW, ensuring the delivery of high-quality research and advisory services to local clients.
Vaun Peate joined as Executive Director, Federal in late 2024 with a distinguished career in federal government operations and policy development. Vaun’s extensive experience in leading large-scale federal initiatives will be crucial in guiding Verian’s federal engagements, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful outcomes for national public policy projects. His impact in his first months has already shown his importance to the Verian business in Australia and the Region.
Karen Kellard has been appointed as State Director, Victoria. Karen brings over 20 years of experience in senior and executive roles in social research and evaluation, gained across Australia, the UK, and Saudi Arabia. As a qualitative specialist, her expertise encompasses all aspects of social research, from design to delivery, across a wide range of public and social policy areas. Karen’s leadership will enhance Verian’s qualitative research capabilities, ensuring the delivery of nuanced and impactful insights to clients across the APAC region.
Gavin Bain, Chief Executive Officer, APAC, commented on the appointments: “We are delighted to welcome Melanie, Andrew, Bettina, Vaun, and Karen to the Verian team. Their combined expertise and leadership will significantly enhance our capabilities in the region, enabling us to better serve our clients and contribute to the development of effective public policies.”
These strategic appointments underscore Verian Group’s commitment to expanding its global leadership and delivering innovative, evidence-based solutions that address the evolving challenges faced by governments and the public sector.
For more information about Verian Group and its services, please visit www.veriangroup.com.
About Verian Group
Verian Group is a world-leading, independent research, evidence, evaluation, and communications agency, providing services to governments and the public realm. With offices across Europe, APAC, and the US, Verian’s consultants and researchers are supported by a unique global data ecosystem, delivering gold-standard data on the economy and society to decision-makers. Combining expertise in human understanding with advanced technologies and data science, Verian works with clients to create policy interventions, design better public services, and unlock behaviour change.