Sarah Newman
About Sarah Newman
Sarah Newman serves as the Director of Sustainability Services at KPMG Australia, where she leverages her extensive experience in sustainability strategy and corporate reporting. With over 20 years in the field, she focuses on enhancing environmental, social, and governance performance, particularly within the retail industry.
Current Role at KPMG Australia
Sarah Newman serves as the Director of Sustainability Services at KPMG Australia, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on advising organizations on enhancing their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Her work aims to build trust and transparency within organizations, particularly in the Retail industry, where she identifies significant opportunities for improvement. With over 20 years of experience in sustainability strategy and corporate reporting, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her current position.
Previous Experience at KPMG
Prior to her current role, Sarah Newman held various positions at KPMG Australia and KPMG UK. She worked as a Senior Manager in Melbourne from 2013 to 2016 and as an Associate Director specializing in Sustainability and ESG from 2016 to 2021. Earlier in her career, she served as a Manager in Sustainability & Climate Change at KPMG UK from 2011 to 2013. Her journey at KPMG Australia began as a Trainee, progressing to Manager in Audit from 2001 to 2010, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the firm's operations.
Education and Professional Development
Sarah Newman has pursued extensive education and professional development throughout her career. She studied Accounting and Finance at the University of Melbourne, earning a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) from 2001 to 2004. She also completed a Graduate Diploma from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, focusing on Financial Reporting, Auditing, Tax, and Business Strategy from 2005 to 2007. Additionally, she has achieved certifications in Carbon Accounting from Swinburne University of Technology and is currently studying to become a Certified Coach and Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistics Programming (NLP).
Leadership and Community Engagement
Sarah Newman participated in the Bird Walton Leadership / Sponsorship Program from 2020 to 2021, where she focused on women in leadership. This program reflects her commitment to fostering leadership skills and supporting diversity in the workplace. Her passion for improving ESG performance, particularly in the Retail sector, demonstrates her dedication to creating positive change within organizations and communities.
Expertise in Sustainability and ESG
With two decades of experience, Sarah Newman has developed expertise in sustainability strategy, corporate reporting, business development, risk management, and audit. She is recognized for her ability to advise organizations on improving their ESG performance, which is critical for building trust and transparency. Her focus on the Retail industry highlights her understanding of sector-specific challenges and opportunities in sustainability.