Going West: PwC partners with Western Sydney University

PricewaterhouseCoopers has announced that up to 200 staff will work from the new, high-rise Western Sydney University (WSU) Parramatta City campus, cementing PwC's commitment to greater western Sydney clients and bringing flexible work opportunities to life for staff who live in the area. 

PwC's new offices in the University's Parramatta City Campus will consolidate the existing Private Clients business in Norwest and staff from the consulting, economics, deals and infrastructure teams who are working on local engagements. It also provides the opportunity to strengthen relationships with the University, particularly with its School of Business.

PwC Sydney Managing Partner Joseph Carrozzi said the Greater Western Sydney region was a key growth area and PwC was responding to changing market demands and staff needs.

"We've been expanding our profile and reach in Western Sydney and this move strengthens our overall footprint and mix of local service offerings," Mr Carrozzi said.

"In addition to Private Clients, PwC's strategic focus is on transactions, digital businesses, advanced manufacturing and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) business and education opportunities, as well as our traditional financial, tax and audit service offerings," Mr Carrozzi said.

"Nearly 1000 staff members live in the Greater Western Sydney region, making this decision a commitment to support their flexibility, with Parramatta clearly seen as the region's centre.

This community commitment was further illustrated with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between PwC and Western Sydney University.

The MOU will see students and staff from the University's School of Business work side by side with PwC at the new Parramatta City Campus, with the two organisations working together to explore mentoring and work integrated learning opportunities for students, joint staff and leadership development, and collaboration on mutually beneficial research and innovation projects. 

Western Sydney University Vice Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover said the University's partnership and co-location with businesses like PwC will make Parramatta City Campus a true innovation precinct - one that will generate significant opportunities for Parramatta and for Western Sydney.

"To capitalise on the 'Ideas Boom' we must grow our connections with innovative industries. Our partnership with PwC will help unlock new areas of research, angel investing and business improvement for the Western Sydney region," Professor Glover said.

"Not only will our students have access to initiatives and experiences with the largest professional services firm in Australia, our researchers will also be empowered to conduct important research that has a focus on industry impact."

Western Sydney Director of the Sydney Business Chamber, David Borger said the announcement was fantastic news for Western Sydney.

"PwC have seen the value of locating to Parramatta at a time of much public and private investment and will bolster the School of Business at Western Sydney University," said Mr Borger..

"We welcome PwC to Parramatta as they capitalise on Western Sydney's youthful, highly educated and multilingual workforce."

The opening of the new PwC offices at the University's Parramatta City Campus is scheduled for early 2017. 

Ends

23 June 2016

Media Unit