Top image: TLC Consultancy Founder Stuart Snell (rear left) with the MICROfatorie Technologies team after arranging the launch of a new MICROfactorie module by the then Environment Minister Sussan Ley in 2020. Second image is at the April 2023 launch event of the ARC Microrecycling Research Hub (winning bid and event organised by Stuart, centre rear), formally opened by the ARC CEO Judi Zielki (pictured centre).

EXAMPLES OF CLIENT WORK

Below are examples of consultancy work done in between and in addition to my in-house corporate leaderships roles at CBA, TAL, APRA and in Government (State and federal). 

UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Centre

• • • • • • Current ongoing since 2018, retained strategic advice and support to the SMaRT Centre Director and leadership team, including grant writing, government and industry stakeholder engagement, media strategy, policy development, speech and column writing. 

          • Late 2025, facilitated and generated widespread impact of Prof Veena's National Press Club of Australia speech (see comms) and in early 2025 arranged the official launch of the Centre's first commercially operated Plastics MICROfactorie, achieving extensive media coverage and industry engagement

          • Select recent work examples include:

            • Wrote this late 2025-published submission to the Federal Government on how to improve the R&D ecosystem

            • Wrote this published submission to and published in 2025 by the Productivity Commission for its Inquiry into “Opportunities in the circular economy”

            • Wrote the UNSW SMaRT Centre submission  to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources consultation on "Green metals - A Future Made in Australia: Unlocking Australia’s Green Iron, Steel, Alumina and Aluminium Opportunity", published in Dec 2024.

            • This 2023 submission written on behalf of UNSW SMaRT Centre for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water discussion paper "Regulation of e-products - Wired for Change"

            • Awards submissions writing and coordination including for Veena's 2022 NSW Australian of the Year Award, her 2022 ATSE Clunies Ross Innovation Award,  and her 2022 Eureka Prize, to name a few 

            • Part of the 2021/2022 bid team for UNSW and the University of Newcastle, representing SMaRT, that won a $50 million Australian Trailblazer Funding Program with an additional $170 million secured via industry and the two universities

            • Wrote this June 2022 submission on the Investment NSW's Green Paper: Securing future innovation and global competitiveness in NSW

            • Wrote and placed this 2022 op ed column on the need for 'green manufacturing' published by The Policymaker, a new digital publication of the James Martin Institute for Public Policy

            • In 2021 developed new website in Drupal including structure and all site content and layout, and ongoing management http://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/ 

            • Arranged in 2021 for UNSW SMaRT Centre's Green Ceramics technology to be featured in a special textiles recycling exhibit and round table event at Parliament House, Canberra

            • Part of the grant writing and bid team that secured $3.3 million in government funding for the ARC Microrecycling Research Hub (see below) that started up in 2020.

            • In 2020 wrote two submissions to the NSW Government in relation to its strategy development for 1) a 20 year waste plan and 2) a long term waste plastics plan

            • Planned and executed the launch of the Green Ceramics and Plastics MICROfactories in 2019 by former Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley.

ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship Program for Green Metals Technologies

• Current and ongoing advisory and consulting services in relation to strategy, stakeholders, communications and key documentation.

• Instrumental in helping form a consortium that in May 2023 secured capital to develop innovative technologies to recover from solar PV and electronics wastes the valuable materials they contain but are currently mostly discarded https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/news-events/news/new-arc-industry-laureate-green-metals-research-program 

• Wrote the consortia winning bid, securing $3.5 million, which was one of only eight successful bids from 127 applications

• In 2024 development of startup strategy and plan implementation

• 2025 onwards, full comms, strategy and stakeholder engagement leadership and support for the team

ARC Microrecycling Research Hub

• • • • • • Current and ongoing advisory and consulting services in relation to strategy, stakeholders, communication and key documentation.

          • Lead member of the grant writing consortium in 2019 that in 2020 secured $3.3 million in Australian Research Council funding over four years, with another $2.6 million matched as either in kind or cash funding from the consortia - see government announcement: https://www.arc.gov.au/news-publications/media/media-releases/new-research-hubs-putting-australia-cutting-edge   

          • In 2020, engaged by the Hub to provide strategy, stakeholder and communications advice and services (current and ongoing)

          • Developed website content and layout, and ongoing management https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/news-events/news/smart-host-new-arc-microrecycling-research-hub  

          • See April 2023 Hub launch event, delayed due to COVID

Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub - National Environmental Science Program

• • • • • • Current and ongoing advisory and consulting services in relation to strategy, stakeholders, communication and key documentation.

          • Part of the grant writing consortium in 2019/2020 that secured $17 million in funding from 2021 over seven years, with another $17 million matched as either in kind or cash funding from the consortia - see government announcement: http://www.environment.gov.au/science/nesp/hub-sustainable-communities-waste 

          • Then from 2021 until Nov 2023, engaged by the Hub to provide strategy, stakeholder and communications advice and services (including grant application development, initial start-up and ongoing executive support and full stakeholder and communications services)

          • Provided full strategic advice and communications and stakeholder services for the Hub and its Director and leadership team

          • Full comms support including design and development and management of a new website launched in January 2022 (see www.nespsustainable.edu.au), along with social media channels, Leader comms, stakeholder engagement

          • Current and ongoing occasional operational support and advice services

University of Sydney

• In 2024/2025, researched, developed and drafted a key, comprehensive report in relation to a major reputational issue.

Manly Yacht Club

• In 2024, developed a comprehensive strategic communications plan aimed at building the club's profile and attracting new members.

Living Turf - leading national agronomy services and technology company

• In 2024, developed a strategic communications plan for the business.

• Outlined a comprehensive range of actions and recommendations to enhance and build the profile and reputation of the business.

BizTech

• • • • • • In 2023 engaged by Honcho (trade name of Business Switch) to investigate, analyse and report on a significant organisational matter involving payments and multiple external stakeholders

          • In 2020 engaged by Honcho to investigate, analyse and report on a substantive communications and organisational matter, delivering a extensive advice and a major report to the Managing Director and leadership team 

          • In 2018  advised business technology firm Honcho on a major announcement about a partnership with an insurance tech firm to launch a holistic startup business establishment service that covers regulatory, marketing and insurance needs for any new business

Nearmap technology company

• In 2022 developed 2 x thought leadership op ed (opinion editorial) articles targeted to insurance company decision makers about Nearmap's insurance claims solutions

• One article 900 words placed in a major trade journal and the other a 1200 word blog for the company's own content platform

Sydney Institute of Marine Science

• • • • • • In 2020,  did a project to research, write and liaise with stakeholders over a very high value donor pitch document

          • In 2021 advice to move the successful pitch through next stages for a multi-year agreement

NSW Circular Economy Innovation Network (rebranded to Circular Australia in June 2022)

• • • • • • From  inception early 2019 to mid 2020, helped start-up the organisation, drive development of business strategy, stakeholder engagement and communications plans, including owning responsibility for brand and website/digital assets design and development, for the establishment and ongoing operation of the NSW Circular Economy Innovation Network, funded by the NSW Government through its Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/general/unsw-lead-initiative-driving-waste-and-recycling-innovation-nsw 

            1. Brand and digital strategy, development and content management (content development and curation for dissemination across social media assets and direct distribution channels):

            2. Example: Shaped and placed this op ed in The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/circular-economy-can-cut-waste-but-needs-backing/news-story/ac1786d7e05a7d1cb0df44c89a54778e

            3. Example: Shaped and placed op ed in designer magazine Sanctuary (see below PDF) https://renew.org.au/sanctuary-magazine/building-materials/from-waste-to-product-designing-a-new-solution-to-our-waste-crisis/ 

          • In 2020, strengthened the operationalisation of the Network and developed multi-media content, tools and strategies to step up operations, ahead of and in preparation for a new leadership team commencing

Major medical device company

• • • • • • Periodic since 2019, providing various strategic communications advice for a national medical device firm

Gonski Institute of Education

• • • • • • In 2019, copy writing, editing and coordination of a major submission to the NSW Government outlining  a comprehensive proposal on policy reform for rural and regional school education.

          • In 2019, designed and developed a thought leadership communications plan and community attitudes survey aligned to the Institute's long-term research program:

            1. See results here or below for Campaign #1  (October) - the HSC and the ATAR

            2. See results here or below for Campaign #2 (November) - devices and playtime at school

UNSW Sydney

• • • • • • Since early 2018, engaged on retainer until 2021 to work on a various projects  at the University of NSW in relation to media and communications advice, strategy, planning and execution,  as well as to write op ed columns and announcements and deliver media. Examples include:

            1.  A series of mini thought leadership campaigns backed by community attitudes polling including:

               • Announcement and op ed (April 2020) for a new global alliance of universities to raise the stakes with governments https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/world%E2%80%99s-top-universities-unite-tackle-climate-change-amid-covid-19-challenge 

               • Job sharing models (March 2020) https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/business-law/new-way-job-share 

               • Across, 2019, Bush fires and fish kills https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/new-fish-kills-can-we-stop-them 

               • Skills of the future https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/how-build-homegrown-solutions-technology-skills-shortage 

               • A carbon tax and dividend plan https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/business-law/new-carbon-dividend-proposal-gets-community-support 

               • Climate change attitudes and action https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/general/climate-change-talk-ok-during-disaster-events 

            2. Achieved widespread media coverage (all cross TV news, Radio, Print and Online and via social media) for the Uni's launch of their world first e-waste microfactory. Sample media: https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/world-first-waste-microfactory-launched-unsw,  SMH op ed pre-launch - https://www.smh.com.au/national/micro-factories-are-home-grown-answer-to-incredible-rubbish-recycling-problem-20180228-p4z25w.html, UK Daily Mail - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/aap/article-5576419/Small-NSW-factory-gives-e-waste-new-life.html , Perth Now - https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/engineering/small-nsw-factory-gives-e-waste-new-life-ng-s-1846078 , SBS https://www.sbs.com.au/news/how-china-s-recycling-ban-is-hurting-australia?cid=trending, BBC  https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44642176 

               • See further below the 2018 and 2019 Microfactories launches media coverage report attachment embedded below for more details 

            3. Achieved widespread media coverage  for the Uni's launch of a world first desalination plant study on marine ecology impacts (see desalination study media coverage report attachment embedded below)

            4. Developed a Strategic Communications  Plan for the Uni's Sustainable Materials and Research Technology Centre

            5. Developed a Strategic Communications  Plan for the newly appointed Australian of the Year 2018, Professor Michelle Simmons

            6. Shaped (written) and placed (pitched and secured publication) in a range of mainstream publications many op eds, including:

               • Shaped (written) and placed (pitched and secured publication) in The AFR April 2019 op ed on the importance of engineering skills to the nation https://www.afr.com/news/economy/opal-tower-is-the-result-when-we-slam-the-door-on-engineering-skills-20190411-p51d31 

               • Placed and helped shape op ed in AFR August 2019 on need for a balanced approach to international students https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/we-can-manage-the-china-risks-to-university-finances-20190821-p52j9d  and this one in SMH https://www.smh.com.au/national/asian-students-are-a-great-resource-and-here-s-how-unis-can-foster-them-20190829-p52m0p.html 

               • Shaped (written) and placed (pitched and secured publication) op ed in The Australian  an op ed on the need for Government to change research  and innovation tax treatment ahead of the 2018 Budget and two weeks later the Budget included part of the changes called for https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/general/federal-budget-2018-key-ways-we-can-help-our-innovators-shine 

               • Shaped (written) and placed (pitched and secured publication) in The Australian  an op ed in relation to the 2018 ASEAN Summit about the importance of ASEAN nations to the Australian economy and higher education https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/students/asean-summit-universities-are-our-gateway-region 

               • Shaped (written) and placed (pitched and secured publication) in The Sydney Morning Herald Australian  an op ed on the need to delay the starting age of children at school http://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/social-affairs/when-best-age-start-school-how-about-7 

               • Shaped (written) and placed (pitched and secured publication) in The Guardian an op ed in relation to the benefits of hyrdogen as a renewable energy source https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/general/time-consider-hydrogen-new-clean-energy-carrier-block 

            7. Developed a range of issues management strategy documents on a range of contentious issues, including on the topic of the influence of China on Higher Education

            8. Promoting Australia's "other" soccer world cup team securing media coverage in The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/higher-ed-daily-brief/unsws-robot-soccer-team-takes-on-the-world/news-story/bf72061957a37d536fbdbf9cf5f292f2 and various online outlets https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/move-over-fifa-world-cup-unsw-robot-soccer-team-aims-regain-world-title 

            9. Continuing support for the SMaRT Centre 's microfactory technology initiative, including stakeholder engagement and comms projects such as:

               • Op ed in The Australian promoting the SMaRT technology and the role it can play in helping address the waste crisis https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/circular-economy-can-cut-waste-but-needs-backing/news-story/ac1786d7e05a7d1cb0df44c89a54778e

               • A major essay in Australian Quarterly magazine http://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/big-challenges-micro-solutions-closing-loop-australia%E2%80%99s-waste-crisis 

               • A consumer poll on community attitudes to recycling resulting in widespread media stories http://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/general/recycling-goes-landfill-while-technology-sits-idle 

               • SMH op ed on and broad announcement of new technology to turn clothes and glass into high quality building products like benchtops which generated widespread media exposure https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/turning-old-clothes-high-end-building-materials  including 7 newsprint stories, 78 online news stories including in many key target manufacturing and building publications, a number of AM and FM radio stories that were syndicated widely as well as dozens of stories in India (see below coverage report for details)  leading to numerous commercial interest inquiries

            10. Developed a strategy document for the UNSW International division (UNSW China 2025 Strategy)

            11. Coordinating the editing and review of a major research grant application

            12. Conceptualising  and executing a series of community attitude polls and  their analysis and media communications plans to support advocacy positions on topics including recycling, research funding and education (see summary report file below for the research funding campaign overview and results)

NFPs

• • • • • • Since 2016,  providing advice and support pro bono to a number of not for profit companies

Fire and Rescue NSW

• • • • • • In 2011, inter alia responsible for the comms campaign for 2011 NSW Fire Prevention Week that generated widespread media coverage - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/news.php?news=1910 . See below Media PR coverage report for this initiative  

Australian Investment Council (formerly Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Ass. or AVCAL)

• • • • • • 2011-2012, strategic comms, industry and stakeholder engagement at Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association - https://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/12930/australian-private-equity-and-venture-deliver-stable-solid-returns#.YeT0rFhBw1I, https://relevant.at/2012/02/15/new-avcal-chair/, https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/docs/archive/private-equity-global-reference-guide.ashx and  https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2011/06/14/1209399/0/en/Australia-Private-Equity-and-Venture-Capital-Generated-Attractive-Returns-for-the-Year-Ended-December-31-2010.html 

Major hotel chain

• • • • • • 2014-2021, a major hotel franchise (formerly ASX listed and now taken over/delisted), providing strategic communications advice