Phil Bullock takes over at economics consultancy NineSquared
Economics and strategy consultancy NineSquared has appointed Phil Bullock as its new national managing director, taking over from co-founder Robin Barlow after more than a decade at the helm.
Barlow established NineSquared in Brisbane in 2013 alongside fellow former Deloitte director Tom Frost, while Bullock, yet another Deloitte alumnus, joined the firm five years later from Transport for NSW and has most recently led its Sydney office.
NineSquared provides services in economics, financial & commercial advisory, public policy analysis, data science, and program & project assurance to public and private clients in sectors such as transport, infrastructure, health, education, and logistics.
“Phil has played a key role in the firm’s growth, leading major client engagements, supporting our people, and helping shape our strategic direction,” the firm stated. “We remain committed to delivering high-quality economic and strategic advice and helping clients make great decisions on complex challenges, and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”
NineSquared added that Bullock’s appointment to the top job effectively formalises a leadership role he has already been performing in practice following a structured succession planning process, with Barlow to remain actively involved in the firm through his role on the board and ongoing support for strategic initiatives, business development, and selected client engagements.
Prior to his eighteen months at Deloitte as an associate director during Frost and Barlow’s time at the firm, Bullock spent four years at acquisition Saha International, and three years before that at later AECOM purchase Faber Maunsell in the UK. His six years at Transport for NSW ahead of joining NineSquared included time as its director for transport performance & analytics.
As per his NineSquared bio, Bullock altogether brings more than two decades worth of industry know-how to his new role, including extensive experience leading public policy projects with specialist expertise in transport and freight and logistics. He also has broader expertise in governance and regulatory reform, regulatory impact assessments, and business case development.
“It’s a privilege to lead a firm that exists to help clients make great decisions on some of Australia’s most important economic, infrastructure and public policy challenges – a purpose that resonated with me when I joined the business and continues to motivate me now,” Bullock said. “I’m fortunate to work alongside a talented, collaborative, and genuinely supportive team.”
