We’ve noticed you’re visiting from NZ. Click here to visit our NZS site.
What we do
Deliver excellence through expert secretariat services and strategic project management. From royal commission support to complex board operations, our comprehensive project planning ensures seamless delivery and adds real value. Our human-centred approach to service design puts people first, whether we're supporting board decisions or delivering front line services.
The result? Better governance and more effective service delivery.
-
Providing essential secretariat support with robust project planning frameworks means taking care of the details so you can focus on what matters.
-
Seamless service delivery using integrated project management and risk assessment and the latest technology.
-
Support high-profile royal commissions with proven methodologies.
-
Improving outcomes for people through a human-centred design approach.
Government Inquiries + Royal Commissions
Allen + Clarke has played a pivotal role in shaping government policies through our work establishing and operating royal commissions and high-profile inquiries. Our experience includes serving as Secretariat for the NZ Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, supporting the Dilworth Inquiry, and contributing to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care. In Australia, we’ve supported a range of independent reviews, and associated with Royal Commissions, and inquiries including in aged care reforms.
-
Commission establishment – implementing secretariat frameworks and project governance systems that ensure independence
-
Results delivery – producing comprehensive inquiry reports that meet stringent publication standards
-
Generating impact – developing policy, regulation and undertaking independent evaluations and reviews to support delivering of recommendations and insights from Royal Commissions and Government Inquiries
Secretariat + Board Support
As a dedicated secretariat provider, we strengthen Board and Committee effectiveness through comprehensive project coordination and governance policies. We ensure robust oversight for organisations like the Northern Energy Group, NZ Mental Health Tribunal and the Australian Breastscreen National Quality Management Committee. We are experts at supporting expert advisory groups.
-
Board and committee logistics - delivering comprehensive secretariat services ensuring seamless meeting management, from minutes compilation to managing fees and payments.
-
Board and committee papers – coordinating with management to prepare high quality papers that support good decision-making
-
Performance monitoring – integrating financial risk management and project governance insights into comprehensive Board reporting
Related Projects
Related Projects
Projects
Less than a minute to read
Secretariat and Meeting Management services for the National Quality Management Committee of BreastScreen Australia
Read More
Projects
Less than a minute to read
Streamlining Tribunal Support: Secretariat Support for the Mental Health Review Tribunal
Read MoreGovernance Advice
Good governance is easy… until it’s not! We know good governance requires strategic planning and expert oversight. Whether you're facing a crisis or seeking to enhance your business strategy, we provide targeted advice that aligns with your organisation's size and context. Our comprehensive consultancy services strengthen governance and risk management to deliver lasting value.
-
Governance reviews – independent assessment of management structures and processes to enhance your business strategy and create measurable value.
-
Strategic support – delivering expert consultancy services that combine strategic assessment with targeted risk management to build robust governance framework.
Service Design + Delivery
Transform your service delivery through strategic project management, business change processes, and innovative design thinking. Our approach combines robust project governance with human-centred design methodologies to create impactful solutions. We deliver comprehensive risk management and expert project coordination to major initiatives such as the New South Wales Health Support Service.
-
Service Innovation - applying design thinking methodologies, coupled with comprehensive stakeholder engagement, to create processes that better meet customer needs and unlock creative solutions.
-
Service Delivery - with integration project co-ordination and excellent risk management, we deliver on behalf of clients such as the New South Wales Tobacco Information Line and the Healthy School Canteen Strategy.
Working with us
Our Process
Understand
We clarify objectives by challenging assumptions and gathering insights.
Plan
We craft a tailored roadmap to prevent future complications.
Deliver
We execute with transparency while proactively addressing emerging challenges.
Review
We validate recommendations through inclusive sensemaking sessions.
Close
We reflect on learnings while recognising team accomplishments.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you provide temporary or emergency secretariat support?
Yes, we can provide temporary or emergency support during transition periods, to respond to increased workloads or staff absence. We can rapidly deploy our team of experienced professionals to ensure continuity of governance and administrative functions.
What project management methodologies do you use?
Our team have experience with a range of project methodologies including traditional waterfall approaches for structured, sequential projects, and agile methodologies for more dynamic flexible projects. The methodology we use for each project will depend on the project requirements, and your existing project management frameworks. Whatever methodology we use, our approach focuses on robust risk management, comprehensive governance, and clear reporting structures.
How do you handle confidential information?
We have privacy and confidentiality policies including secure information management systems, training for our staff on privacy requirements, clear access and use procedures and confidentiality agreements. Our experience supporting sensitive inquiries and board processes mean we have robust processes in place and a thorough understanding of the risks and common pitfalls.
What technology platforms do you use for board management?
Our team have used a range of board management platforms including Boardable, OnBoard, and Diligent. We can work with your existing systems or recommend appropriate solutions. Our expertise covers digital board paper distributions systems, virtual meeting platforms, document management, and collaborative workflow tools.
How long does it typically take to establish a secretariat function?
The timeframe will vary depending on complexity and need but we can generally establish basic secretariat functions within 2 – 4 weeks. For urgent requirements, we can deploy a rapid response team to provide immediate support while developing more permanent structures and roles.
What does a human-centred design approach to service delivery look like?
Design thinking involves extensive engagement with end-users to understand their needs and develop solutions collaboratively. This ensures services are tailored to meet the needs and requirements of end-users, rather than their perceived requirements. Design thinking is an agile methodology which involves iterative prototyping and test of services, and continuous feedback and improvement.