Perth lobbying firm GRA Everingham has announced a new name along with a broadening of its services and an update to its ownership.
Perth lobbying firm GRA Everingham has announced a new name along with a broadening of its services and an update to its ownership.
The business has changed its name to GRA Partners, 18 months after founder Paul Everingham left.
It has also formally established a corporate communications service.
Managing partner Jason Marocchi said the firm has undertaken several corporate communications projects on behalf of government relations clients over the past decade but will now actively pursue opportunities in this sector.
GRA is ranked on the BNiQ Search Engine as the second largest government relations firm in WA with seven registered lobbyists.
The widening of its services brings GRA more closely into line with competitors such as Cannings Purple, which is best known as an investor relations firm, and CGM Communications, which also started life as a lobbying specialist.
Mr Everingham, who recently commenced a new role as director of the Chamber of Minerals & Energy of WA, sold his equity in the business this month.
GRA is led by Mr Marocchi along with long-serving partner Amanda Reid and chairman Eric Ripper, who was formerly treasurer in the Gallop and Carpenter governments.
They are minority shareholders in the business, which is majority owned by Clemenger Group company GRACosway.
Clemenger’s other businesses in WA include advertising agency Marketforce, which Mr Everingham ran for about six months before taking up the Chamber role.
GRACosway’s national chair is former Howard government minister Helen Coonan.
Her position, along with Mr Ripper’s WA role, illustrates the group’s deliberate effort to be bipartisan.
Speaking at function held last night to mark GRA’s 10th anniversary and rebrand, Mr Marocchi said the changes signalled a new era for the business.
“It’s been a privilege to work with a range of companies, from the biggest in Australia and the world to some innovative small businesses and organisations, on complex public policy and regulatory matters at both the State and Federal level,” he said.
“While there is much to celebrate about the past ten years, we are also looking to the future.”
GRA’s WA clients include private hospital owner Ramsay Health Care, BHP Billiton, Chinese group Huawei Technologies, Hall & Prior Health and Aged Care Group, outsourcing company Serco, supermarket chain Aldi and property developer 3 Oceans Property.
