Lobbying outfit Crestview taps former Santos exec for local push

Matthew Doman has joined Crestview Strategy as a vice president.

Canada-based lobbying outfit Crestview Strategy has officially hung out its shingle in Australia, setting up a Sydney office headed up by former Santos and APPEA spinner Matthew Doman.

The firm, which has more than 120 staff across Canada, the US and the UK across eight sites - nine including Sydney - has been servicing local clients for some time, albeit from afar with Doman’s appointment signalling a firm commitment to the Australian market.

Doman has an exemplary pedigree, with a CV which includes a stint advising former finance minister Nick Minchin, followed by more than eight years at Santos during the David Knox era, when the oil and gas major’s corporate affairs department was a veritable powerhouse, including names such as Christian Bennett who went on to roles at GE, BHP and now Virgin Australia.

Doman himself went from Santos to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association where he was director for South Australia and the Northern Territory as well as director external affairs, and most recently headed up his own firm, Mill Street Advisory, looking after companies such as natural hydrogen play Gold Hydrogen, chaired by former foreign minister Alexander Downer. Go back far enough and there was also a stint as media editor at this fine publication and before that a posting at The Hollywood Reporter.

Crestview is keeping its local client list close to its chest however internationally it has a bevy of major Canadian pension funds on its books, as well as MasterCard, Lyft and Ticketmaster.

Crestview has been expanding rapidly in recent years, opening its first international office in Washington DC in 2019, at which time it had about 40 staff.

Mr Doman, who has been appointed as a vice president of the firm, said he would continue to focus on the energy and resources sectors.

Crestview partner Mark Spiro said the firm “has had a long ambition to expand our offering into Australia’’.

“We have been active in the market for many years, and we are proud to open our Sydney office.

“We have found the right leader for our expansion in Matthew Doman.

“His unique experiences and strong relationships in Australian political and business communities will drive our success in the market.”