Recently, several member of the Committee for Auckland (CfA) board had the privilege of spending a couple of hours with the long-serving chair of the Committee for Sydney (CfS).   CfS has been in existence for a similar period of time to CfA having formed out of a desire to see Sydney maintain the momentum generated by hosting the 2000 Olympic Games.   CfS experienced a low ebb coinciding with a period of relatively low investment and engagement by the state government. That changed when a more ambitious government was elected and former deputy mayor, Lucy Turnbull joined the CfS board as chair.   CfS has subsequently gone from strength to strength, rising to its current position with membership capped at around 150 organisations and a highly-capable executive, policy and policy team, wielding considerable influence.   Michael categorised advocacy as the single most important thing CfS does.

 There were many insights that flowed from the discussion with Michael.   Some key ones were:

• CfS benefited from initially employing a high-energy CEO to re-launch the organisation (ie: a start-up mindset) and then subsequently transitioned to different leadership team and approach as the organisation grew and matured.
• The importance of having an advocacy plan to support any report produced or sponsored by the organisation.
• The breadth of (a carefully curated) membership ensures a whole of city focus, with the “room” always full of interesting people.   CfS is respected for its convening power.
• In the absence of a big VC sector (relative to the likes of California) it is important to have the government “prime the pump” to drive innovation.   Interestingly, the big technology companies have advised that a major impediment to an expanding tech sector in Sydney was the cost of housing.
• Social resilience and cohesion are growing concerns, with significant disparity in wealth and opportunity across the city.  This inequity had both geographic and intergenerational dimensions.
• CfS derive considerable value from engaging speakers from equivalent organisations offshore (ie: leveraging the committee for city’s network).

A warm thanks to Michael for making time to spend with members of the CfA board during his recent visit to Auckland.