Hardhat expands Sydney operations with Kate Walker appointed GM
Independent agency Hardhat has accelerated the growth of its Sydney operations with the appointment of Kate Walker as general manager.
Former group client director at WPP (AUNZ), Walker has been consulting on brand strategy, development and experience design over the past year.
Walker will be joining Hardhat’s Sydney based client services director, Alice Tschuchnigg, with a further ten roles expected to be filled in the coming weeks, bolstering the Melbourne-headquartered agency’s second office.
Newly appointed Kate Walker
On her appointment, Walker said: “I am beyond excited about the opportunity to do something really special as we grow the Hardhat offering in Sydney. The ambition and the smarts of the team is only matched by their decency and integrity. I’m looking forward to creating an inspiring place where our clients and team can come together to do the best work of their careers.”
Hardhat has several established relationships based in Sydney, in Baiada (Steggles and Lilydale), as well as Superhero, the fintech platform that last week released its first major brand work with the creative agency.
The past 12 months has also seen Hardhat take on several new clients in Sydney, including Afterpay, Blooms the Chemist and CareerOne.
Justin Kabbani
Justin Kabbani, co-founder and managing director said: “Kate’s agency leadership experience and entrepreneurialism are exactly what we’ve been looking for to energise our growth in Sydney and to work with Alice in leading important client opportunities. Over the past 12 months, demand has exploded from Sydney-based clients wanting Hardhat’s unique approach to building brands on behaviour. In Kate we’ve got a leader that can set our growing Sydney team up for success, as we on-board new clients and team members on the ground.”
Walker resigned from her role in 2019, a WPP spokesperson saying that “after more than two-and-a-half years in the position, and a long history with WPP AUNZ, she has decided to travel and establish her next career move”.
Walker brings senior agency and client management experience to Hardhat, with past roles including being founder and managing director for her own agency, Human, as well as general manager at JWT Sydney.
Hardhat’s current client list includes Bupa, Bega Dairy and Drinks, Lilydale, Steggles, Superhero, Simply Energy, Kogan.com, Victoria University and Carsales.
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Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
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