Meet Warwick Shanks

Q&A with Warwick Shanks

Managing Partner – Wollongong, KPMG

KPMG’s Wollongong office is one of 153 globally, providing a full range of professional services.

What have you found to be the main advantage of basing your business in Wollongong?

Wollongong is a great location for KPMG to have an office as there are a broad range of clients who require the professional services of a firm like ours delivered by locally based staff.

For our people it provides the opportunity for interesting and challenging work across a variety of industries. We also have the opportunity (and responsibility) to contribute to our communities, both professionally and personally.

What experience have you had recruiting the talent you need in Wollongong?

We have been able to recruit 4-5 high quality graduates from the University of Wollongong each year and, when required, we supplement this with experienced people, often those who are looking to return to the region having worked in Sydney or overseas.

How does living and working in Wollongong help with work-life balance?

Living and working in Wollongong provides an easier level of work-life balance through two main reasons:

• All of our people have a much smaller commute than in a capital city which means we can be involved with family activities (such as school drop off and sporting activities) and in sporting or community activities.
• We are able to live and work closer together which allows us to be involved in our family activities during the day (such as attending a sports carnival or a school assembly item).

What kind of a business environment is there in Wollongong?

Wollongong has a very supportive business community and provides many opportunities for networking.  These include industry-based organisations as well as broader business and community groups.

The University of Wollongong also has strong industry linkages and events which greatly benefit businesses and provide opportunities for students and researchers.

What are some of the things you personally love about living in Wollongong?

It has been an amazing place to bring up our children. We have many of the same opportunities as a capital city (including theatre, concerts, national and international sporting events) and these are also readily accessible in Sydney.

There is a full range of schooling opportunities including public selective, performing arts and sports high schools, a strong systemic catholic school system and co-educational and single sex private schools.

“Our lifestyle is second to none and you can live and enjoy recreational activities across beaches, the lake and the escarpment. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

What do you feel is unique about Wollongong?

Wollongong is an independent regional city with easy access to a major capital city, Sydney, and also the wider world through an international airport only an hour away.