About

Progress Partners

We help our clients to shape the future.

Our Partners


Richard Alcorn

Partner 

Richard leads the Government Relations and Public Affairs practice at Progress Partners.


He is a trusted and experienced government relations and public affairs professional, and a veteran of numerous federal, state and local Labor election campaigns.


He was a chief of staff for the Albanese Shadow Cabinet during the 46th Parliament.


Over his 20-year career in public affairs he has advised global, national and local leaders in energy, aviation, investment banking, health, environment, water, infrastructure, construction, industrial relations, federal, state and local governments, mining and resources, and property, including clients such as General Electric.


Richard was Senior Adviser for leading government relations and public affairs firm CPR Communications, and subsequently lived and worked in Hong Kong, in the global aviation industry. 


He was the Political Director for one of Australia’s most influential trade unions, now the United Workers Union, and played a significant role in the successful Labor Kevin ‘07 and Your Rights at Work campaigns. 


Richard loves to shape public policy for public benefit, and deliver meaningful results for clients. 


He specialises in developing and executing government relations and public affairs strategies to position businesses, communities, organisations and governments for success, in challenging media and political environments. 

Public Affairs


Media Relations


Media Training


Strategic Communication


Crisis Communications


Campaign Management


Stakeholder Managment


CSR and Sustainability Strategy

Government Relations


Strategic Executive Counsel


Government Engagement Strategy


Project Approvals


Regulatory Risk Management  Strategy


Public Policy Analysis


Parliamentary Inquiries




        

Hon.Rod Welford 

Partner  

Rod is Progress Partners' Sustainability Strategy practice leader and specialises in transforming the sustainability of businesses, organisations and governments to deliver better social, economic and shareholder dividends. 


His experience as a thought leader, Chairman, CEO, Board Member and university Professor, in driving sustainable business outcomes in Australia, is unrivalled. 


An international leader in sustainable enterprise and ESG practice, Rod has directly implemented large-scale programs for some of the world’s largest and most resource intensive companies. 


Rod grew energy efficiency start-up Ensight Energy Solutions into a global energy and sustainability leader, transforming the energy and emissions profiles of multibillion dollar projects, delivering significant shareholder, reputational and environmental returns.The firm was awarded Optus Business of the Year in 2016.


Rod has more than 30 years of experience in public policy leadership and advocacy, and has previously held the roles of Queensland Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Environment and Heritage, Minister for Natural Resources, Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts. 


As a Minister, Rod established the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, the first in the world with a division focusing specifically on sustainable industries and resource efficiency. He also:

  • introduced the first laws to prevent broad-scale land clearing on freehold land, enabling Australia to meet its unofficial Kyoto climate target
  • doubled the area of the National Park Estate in Queensland 
  • initiated Australia’s first large scale water efficiency program, 
  • forged the only Regional Forest Agreement in the nation to win the support of both the timber industry and the conservation movement
  • introduced the Water Act to provide the first ever protection for environmental flows in river systems
  • established three innovative “Smart State” secondary school academies for maths and science, creative industries, and health sciences and, launched the first ever State Design Strategy to harness the economic potential of the design professions.
  • initiated the Year of Sustainability promoting sustainability education in Queensland schools
  • led the ministerial council on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

As CEO of the Australian Recycling Council, Rod brought together leading global and Australian brands to provide leadership in recycling which helped to drive new government policies to promote the recovery of e-waste, tyres and advocate for container deposit scheme. He also  initiated a national discussion about the need for a circular economy.


As an Adjunct Professor at Griffith University’s Business Strategy and Innovation school, Rod is teaching Australia’s next generation of leaders how to transform conventional business into sustainable business.


He started his working life as a corporate and commercial litigation lawyer, and a Barrister of the High Court of Australia, His qualifications include a Master of Science in Environmental Management, a Master of Energy Management, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), and a Bachelor of Laws.