Consulting
As Deputy Vice Chancellor at Griffith I led a sixfold growth of philanthropic fundraising in 6 years. I led rebranding, marketing and communications and course product redesign that saw Griffith reach its highest ever market share of commencing domestic students.
As Executive Dean responsible for QUT in Engineering, IT, Science, Built Environment and Design, I led 1000 staff and 10,000 students in $100m of learning and teaching, research and engagements with businesses, governments and communities throughout South East Queensland and globally.
I offer experience and capability to all individuals and organisations looking to manage disruption, transformational change and reputation building, and engagement of universities and their intersection with schools, alumni, business, government and communities.
The Higher Education Experience
"Rarely does The Brand Institute of Australia work with such an innovative, future-focused leader. The repositioning of Griffith University was only possible through the leadership and direction of Martin and his team. Martin’s intellect, exceptional people skills and authentic focus on optimisation make him a very rare and effective change agent. Universally respected and perpetually optimistic, Martin has the ability to drive and shape change - from organisational purpose through to the very people living the brand."
Karl Treacher,
CEO of Brand Institute
Universities need to redefine and clarify what they see as their reputation, and how to portray it through staff, student and partner experiences.
I worked for 11 years leading the implementation of the QUT real world university reputation and experience in its disciplines of Built Environment, Design, Engineering, Science and IT.
I led the development of the re-positioning of Griffith University, in conjunction with The Brand Institute, with its brand of Be Remarkable.
I look forward to opportunities to work with universities and others as a partner with the Brand Institute and Culture Institute with the launch of HEDx advisory services in which we are applying established culture, reputation and transformation expertise for the first time to the higher education sector.
Universities
You are held in high regard by your peers and are widely seen as a strong leader in the engagement space. We are looking forward to continuing to work with you in this important area of university business that we both cherish.
Professor Jim Nyland, Associate VC at ACU and President of Engagement Australia
I am available for projects as an associate with the sector-leading higher education consulting practice Phillips KPA.
I am available to join teams serving Phillips KPA clients in a range of projects including: strategy and market positioning, performance improvement and change, and academic quality
Beyond my work with Phillips KPA, I can also advise on contemporary university academic organisation, teaching and learning and marketing strategies, and on campus and capital development projects.
I advocated for strategic approaches to university engagement as a keynote speaker in national conferences of Engagement Australia and published in the first issue of its journal Transform.
Martin Betts has long championed the value of meaningful engagement with a university’s diverse constituencies. In uncertain times, knowing how to effectively connect to and strengthen all our networks is more important than ever and Martin’s experience in this undertaking is extensive and laudatory.
Lorna Somers, AVP McMaster University, Canada
Staff Engagement
As a Male Champion of Change and a Multicultural Ambassador, I chaired the Griffith Equity Committee from 2014-2020 to continuous WGEA recognition, an employer of choice award at the Women in Technology Awards, and to sector-leading performance in engagement of students with disabilities and LGBTIQ recognition.
I am committed to staff engagement in the culture of institutions and have led the growth of staff giving programs at QUT and Griffith to more than 500 donors at each institution from commencing numbers below 100.
I look forward to helping you improve your equity commitments and staff engagement across your institution.
Major Events
I led Griffith's engagement with the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as the largest engagement project ever undertaken by an Australian university. This tier 1 sponsorship and partnership is the first and only time a university has partnered with a major global sporting event. It led to high level corporate and sporting engagement and 500 Griffith students having a major event internship experience with both the GOLDOC organising committee or other sponsors and partners of the games.
I have also led university engagements with Bleach, the Brisbane Festival, the World Science Festival and partnerships and sponsorships with sporting organisations and cultural partners that include Opera Australia, Swimming Australia, Gold Cost Suns, Gold Coast Titans, and Brisbane Roar.
I am excited about the prospect of a 2032 Olympic Bid for our state and am in a prime position to explore how Queensland's universities can effectively contribute, participate and engage.
Infrastructure, Built Environment, Science and Engineering
As a FRSA and chartered engineer, surveyor and construction manager and as the inaugural President of the Australian Deans of Built Environment and Design, and a former member of the Australian Council of Engineering Deans, I am widely networked with these discipline groups in all Australian universities.
I led a consortium of UK contractors and IT companies implementing national IT strategy and executive education in UK construction.
And I led QUT's engagement, alongside global universities, in a Project Management Academy delivering executive education to the Shell group in locations around the world.
With connections at the executive level into all of Queensland's and many national and international universities, l, I look forward to assisting universities and their partners brokering successful relationships and partnerships in these fields. These can embrace graduate recruitment, executive education, work integrated learning, and professional accreditation.