AKQA New Zealand appoints Viv Baartman as Executive Partner
AKQA New Zealand has announced the appointment of Viv Baartman (centre) as its new Executive Partner, strengthening its operational leadership in Wellington while advancing the company’s transformation, customer experience and growth offering across Aotearoa.
In this New Zealand leadership role, Baartman will lead the strategic direction and growth of the Wellington studio, deepen AKQA’s relationships across the government and enterprise sectors, and help evolve the agency’s go-to-market transformation offering nationally. She will work closely with clients and teams to shape future-focused digital, customer experience and AI-led transformation initiatives.
Baartman will report directly to Managing Director AKQA New Zealand, Dave Bentley (above right), and partner closely with Matt Townsend (left), Executive Product Director, and AKQA’s leadership team to drive growth and transformation initiatives across New Zealand.
Says Bentley: “Viv brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, operational leadership and deep human understanding.
“She has built a strong reputation for helping organisations navigate complexity, align teams and deliver meaningful transformation. As organisations rethink customer experience, digital products and AI adoption, Viv’s leadership will be incredibly valuable for both AKQA and our clients.”
Adds Townsend: “Viv has a calm, grounded leadership style and an ability to bring clarity to ambitious transformation programmes. She understands how to connect strategy, delivery and people in a way that creates momentum and lasting impact.”
Baartman joins AKQA with more than two decades of experience leading digital transformation, customer experience and operational strategy initiatives across government, health, finance, tourism and technology sectors. Having worked extensively both within transformation consultancies and inside organisations, she brings a well-rounded perspective on how to drive meaningful change and impact.
Known for her calm, people-first leadership style, Baartman has built a strong reputation for helping organisations navigate complexity, align teams and deliver meaningful customer and business outcomes.
On her appointment, Baartman says: “AKQA sits in that rare space where creativity and technology come together to deliver impact. It’s exactly the kind of work I love being part of – helping organisations navigate change while creating experiences that matter.
“What drew me here was not just the ambition of the work, but the calibre of the people behind it. I’m super excited to work alongside such a talented, thoughtful and creative team.”
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