I help government & corporate teams turn complex planning and strategy into compelling reports that engage stakeholders, build trust and drive decisions.
Your work deserves to be seen, understood and acted upon. Whether it's an annual report that needs to justify investment, a strategic plan that needs stakeholder buy-in or a destination strategy that needs to secure funding, I help you present your thinking in a way that connects with the people who matter most.
The challenges you're facing
You have an important report or strategy. The thinking is solid. The research is thorough. But presenting it in a way that cuts through, brings stakeholders with you and compels decision-makers to act? That's where the work can fall short.
Stakeholders lose interest. The strategy is sound, but if people don't engage with it, they won't champion it. Without champions, nothing moves forward.
Decision-makers don't take it as seriously as they should. You've done the work. You've built the case. But if the presentation doesn't match the quality of the thinking and your credibility suffers.
Funding or investment opportunities are missed. Investors and funding bodies are comparing you against others. If you aren’t as compelling, you won't get the same consideration, no matter how strong the fundamentals are.
Months of research and consultation get reduced to a PDF no one reads. You've gathered the data, run the workshops, built the strategy. If the final report doesn't do that work justice, it will get lost.
Your recommendations don't get acted on. The insights are there. The pathway is clear. But if stakeholders can't understand it clearly or don't feel confident presenting it to others, momentum stalls.
You're left wondering if you've done enough. You know the work is strong. But without confidence that it's been presented as compellingly as possible, there's always that nagging doubt: could this be better?
That's where I can help.
What I do
I am Matt James, a strategic design consultant who works with government departments, councils and sector specialists to turn dense, high-stakes content into publications that perform.
I've worked on 100+ reports, strategies and plans across economic development, regional renewal, tourism and visitor economy, community engagement, annual reporting and policy communication.
I understand the pressure points: limited attention, diverse stakeholders, tight deadlines and the need for communication that stands up in public, political and funding contexts.
The result is work that not only looks polished but also performs. It makes projects easier to champion. It strengthens trust. It unlocks investment and garners support. It moves strategies from draft to endorsed to implemented.
How I work
I work directly with teams. No account managers, no layers. Just clear communication, deadlines met and a collaborative process that makes complex projects feel manageable.
I'm experienced in this exact type of work. I am responsive, proactive and reliable. I understand what's at stake, I anticipate what's needed and I deliver without fuss.
I ask questions. I listen. I bring ideas. And I deliver work that reflects the quality of the thinking behind it.
Speak to Matt
What we can cover in a free 15-minute call:
Your project, your timeline and what success looks like for you
The specific challenges you're experiencing (stakeholder engagement, credibility, impact)
Whether strategic design can help you get to where you want to be
How I'd approach a project like yours
Next steps if it feels like a good fit
