From one suitcase and a single client in Sydney to a thriving regional business delivering 750+ projects across sectors, Q5 Australia has grown into a cornerstone of our global story. This is the tale of our first decade, and the exciting horizons still to come.
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In 2015, Q5 took a bold leap. With a suitcase, a vision, and plenty of ambition, Partner Tom Leary landed in Sydney to open Q5’s first APAC office. The goal was simple but a huge challenge, to establish a new frontier for Q5, building a gateway to Asia and Australasia while supporting our clients in the region.
“Launching Q5 in Australia was a leap into the unknown, but one filled with opportunity. What has made it work is the calibre of our people and the strength of our partnerships. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together.” — Tom Leary, Partner, Q5
Not long after, we welcomed our very first client: a major media and publishing organisation. This early partnership marked the beginning of a global relationship stretching across Australia, the UK and the US, and with it, Q5 Australia was officially underway.
By 2016, the foundations were being laid. Tom built relationships across Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and a small team quickly grew to 25 Q5ers delivering for multiple clients. One year later, in 2017, those roots deepened. We began working with organisations who remain clients today and expanded into Victoria through a partnership with a luxury cosmetics brand. To mark the moment, we celebrated our second anniversary with clients and friends at an evening of reflection and gratitude.
Momentum continued in 2018. We delivered 21 projects across sectors from media to transport and retail, strengthening client relationships and cementing our reputation. Then, in 2019, we officially opened our Melbourne office, signalling national expansion and joining up with colleagues in London and New York on projects that spanned the globe.
The next year brought new challenges. Just as we settled into our new Sydney office, the world was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of pausing, we pivoted. We launched Pop-up Australia, our first pro-bono consulting initiative, beginning with The Resilience Project. At the same time, we broadened our services, adding Leadership Development and Organisation Development & Culture to support major clients across manufacturing, distribution and retail.
Despite the disruption, 2021 was a year of connection through adversity. From kitchen tables and spare rooms, our team continued to deliver, including virtually partnering with one of Australasia’s largest IT services providers. That same year, we were proud to be recognised nationally as a Great Place to Work in Australia.
In 2022, our work took us across breathtaking landscapes and into regional communities. We supported a healthcare provider that saw us travel the equivalent of London to Istanbul in just a few weeks, working across dust roads, small towns and remote clinics. At the same time, we broadened our services, adding Leadership Development and Organisation Development & Culture through Lyndal Hughes joining the business and bringing her deep expertise to support major clients across manufacturing, distribution and retail.
The following year, purpose met innovation. Our Reconciliation Action Plan was approved, a milestone on our journey of cultural respect and inclusion. We also launched the Q5 Data & Analytics Hub in Australia, under the leadership of Kyle Fitzgerald, which has since grown rapidly and is now poised to scale globally.
2024 was a turning point. Q5 co-founder Chris Parsons and Partner, Nat Firth travelled to Australia for what began as a six-week visit but turned into a long-term stay. Their move represented a deepening of Q5’s commitment to Australia and injected fresh energy into our business, read more here.
“Australia has always felt like an integral part of the Q5 family, and it’s been a privilege to contribute to its journey over the past year. As we enter our tenth year, I’m incredibly optimistic about the opportunities ahead—to grow, exceed our clients’ expectations, and continue building meaningful careers for our Q5ers across the region. I’m looking forward to working with such a talented team as we make Q5@10 a real milestone to remember.” – Chris Parsons, Co-founder, Q5
Now, in 2025, we celebrate ten years of Q5 in Australia. Over the decade, we have delivered more than 750 projects across a wide variety of sectors, while remaining a trusted partner to some of the clients who joined us in those earliest years. We have also expanded into new industries, including renewable energy, laying foundations for a more sustainable future.
From a hopeful vision to a thriving, impact-driven business shaping organisations across continents, Q5 Australia’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Here’s to the next ten years of bold ideas, incredible people, and adventures still to come.
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