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Clara Yates is a Principal at SPP

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Clara Yates is a Principal at SPP who works with executives and boards to solve complex strategic, organisational and investment challenges.

Clara has deep expertise across higher education, research and the public sector, advising universities, online education providers, research institutes, and government agencies. Her work spans institutional strategy, organisational transformation, operating model design, online education, commercial and investment strategy, and major business cases.

Known for combining rigorous analysis with practical implementation advice, Clara helps organisations navigate complex decisions where there are significant strategic, financial and stakeholder considerations.

She has led engagements ranging from whole-of-university strategies and organisational redesign through to commercial growth strategies, enterprise system-enabled transformation and major investment cases.

Prior to joining SPP, Clara held senior strategic planning roles within the Victorian Government. She holds degrees in Engineering and Science from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from Melbourne Business School, graduating on the Dean’s Honours List.

Industry Focus
  • Consumer
  • Government
  • Higher Education
  • Not For Profit
  • Research & Innovation
  • Transport & Infrastructure
Services Focus
  • Business Cases & Investment Strategy
  • Customer Driven Growth
  • Growth & Commercial Strategy
  • Organisation & Operating Model Design
  • Strategy & Decision Making
  • Transformation
High Impact Work
  • Advised multiple Australian universities on institutional and online education strategy, including evaluation of emerging delivery models, market opportunities and future operating models.
  • Led major organisational transformation programs for leading universities, including operating model redesign and service improvement enabled by enterprise systems.
  • Supported universities to evaluate academic portfolios against strategic, market and commercial criteria, delivering evidence-based roadmaps to strengthen portfolio performance.
  • Developed strategic plans and implementation roadmaps for university faculties, working closely with executive teams, academic leaders and researchers to translate strategic priorities into action.
  • Developed commercial growth strategies for organisations across the education, transport and logistics sectors, combining market analysis with organisational capability assessment.
  • Supported local governments to develop organisational strategies, service planning and evidence-based business cases to improve community outcomes and long-term sustainability.
  • Led organisational structure and operating model reviews for government agencies, aligning organisational design with strategic priorities, legislative requirements and financial objectives.
  • Developed pricing and commercial strategies for major consumer and entertainment organisations through market analysis, benchmarking and financial modelling.
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