SKMG names Gabrielle Dunbar to lead deep tech division

Executive advisory and communications consultancy SKMG has appointed Gabrielle Dunbar as associate director, deep technology, to lead a new division that helps founders attract capital, recruit talent, and influence policy.

The division will focus on translating complex science and technology into messages investors, prospective employees and policymakers can understand.

Dunbar joins from London, where she was a director at specialist deep tech communications firm Commplicated, working with university spinouts and early-stage startups across quantum, AI, advanced materials, defence and biotech.

From research to market

At Commplicated, Dunbar led communications for funding rounds, venture capital fund launches, partnerships, technical milestones and scientific publications.

Her work focused on explaining what distinguished a company’s science, how it could become a business and why investors should care.

“Australia has an exciting opportunity to turn its deep tech research into globally significant businesses. Having worked with ambitious founders across the UK and Europe, I’ve seen how much clear communication matters, whether that’s winning over investors, landing a first customer or hiring the right team. SKMG is built on sharp messaging and strategy, and I’m looking forward to bringing that approach to deep tech and working with the founders and investors taking these technologies to market,” Dunbar said.

Before Commplicated, Dunbar spent eight years at London B2B technology consultancy Champion Communications, progressing from account executive to managing partner.

She ran campaigns for global cloud, data centre and SaaS companies across EMEA, North America and APAC, and helped businesses enter new markets, including launching a hospitality technology company into Australia and New Zealand.

SKMG expands its specialist offer

SKMG co-founder Neil Shoebridge said the appointment would bring specialist communications expertise to founders seeking funding and expansion.

“The deep tech sector is growing rapidly in Australia and already has the highest rate of turning out unicorns for comparatively low capital investment in the world. Deep tech founders require specialised expertise to tell their story and fund expansion. With her extensive experience and great track record in the UK, plus an impressive understanding of the Australian market, Gabrielle is the perfect person to do that. We are delighted that she agreed to join the SKMG team.”

Co-founder Andrew Knowles said the new division would build on the consultancy’s work with founders across housing, renewable energy, copyright and other sectors.

“The founders and changemakers we work with have already done the hard part: creating something that works. We’re proud to be growing the business they trust to ensure investors, hires and policymakers understand the value in what they are building. We’re currently working with clients tackling the Australian housing crisis, delivering renewable solutions to energy security in Africa, protecting Australian copyright against AI and leading the science of word of mouth. Gabrielle is a remarkably adept operator who understands how founders think, what they need and how to maximise value. We’re so excited to have her on board.”

Dunbar’s appointment follows Tess O’Brien’s arrival as associate director, property and place, in May 2025. That practice now has clients across Australia, the UK and Dubai. Eliza Livingstone also joined SKMG as account executive in March 2026.