William Garton on unlocking simplicity and confidence in transformation

At Uvance Wayfinders, we are a diverse group of talented consultants, leveraging our expertise and experience to solve our clients’ challenges and unlock business value. This series discusses who we are, why we are here, and how we, as individuals and as a business, bring value to both our clients and to society.

From leading hospitality businesses to steering public sector transformations, William Garton’s career is a testament to adaptability and impact. As Director for Uvance Wayfinders in Oceania, he draws on a rich mix of industry experience, strategic insight, and a people-first mindset to help clients navigate complex challenges. Passionate about creating lasting, positive change, William brings both vision and practicality to the Wayfinders team – always with an eye on outcomes that matter for business and society.

My career has been anything but linear – and I’m grateful for that. I started out in hospitality, running multiple businesses while completing my MBA. It was a fast-paced, people-focused environment that taught me the importance of customer experience, operational efficiency, and resilience. From there, I moved into the Fast Moving Consumer Goods industry, joining the leadership team of a global grocery brand. The shift was huge, but it gave me exposure to large-scale operations and international markets. A highlight came when I took on the leadership of one of Australia’s only government-owned zoos – a role that blended business strategy with conservation impact. This experience opened the door to the Australian Public Service, where I served in senior executive roles across several federal agencies. In these positions, I led business and technology transformations that have positively shaped the daily lives of millions of Australians, an impact I’m deeply proud of.

I joined Uvance Wayfinders because it represents the perfect intersection of my skills, passions, and the type of work I want to be doing. Wayfinders offers me the opportunity to combine my track record as a leader of organisational change with a consultancy that is rethinking how it serves clients. What’s exciting is that Wayfinders is at a pivotal moment in its journey – shaping a new kind of consulting organisation that moves in step with the rapid evolution of AI and other transformative technologies. I saw an opportunity to be part of a team that could provide clients with solutions that are holistic, sustainable, and tailored to the complexity of today’s operating environments. It’s rare to find a role that lets you contribute to something both innovative and deeply practical, and that’s exactly what Wayfinders is building.

For me, it starts with values. Fujitsu’s core principles of aspiration, trust and empathy aren’t just words on a website – they’re qualities that attract a certain type of person to the organisation. Wayfinders is made up of individuals who not only have expertise, but who genuinely care about creating outcomes that matter. That people-first culture is a big part of our appeal. On top of that, our unique position as both a technology provider and a consultancy allow us to deliver truly integrated solutions. Clients can come to us with complex problems and know they’ll get end-to-end support – from strategy and design through to the technology implementation that makes those ideas a reality. That combination of deep consulting insight and world-class technology capability is something few can match, and it’s why I believe clients see us as a trusted long-term partner.

I bring a blend of experience, empathy, and strategic insight to every engagement. Having worked across hospitality, FMCG, conservation, and public service, I understand how different industries operate – and where they share common challenges. My background includes setting and executing strategic direction, leading large portfolios of business and digital transformation, and working closely with executives and boards to achieve outcomes they initially thought impossible. I thrive in environments where complexity needs to be untangled, and a clear path forward created. What excites me about Wayfinders is being able to combine this breadth of leadership experience with the suite of technologies and expertise within the Uvance Wayfinders brand. It’s not just about delivering projects – it’s about inspiring confidence, building trust, and creating change that sticks.

For me, the most valuable thing we can deliver to a client is simplicity in the face of complexity, and confidence in the face of uncertainty. I want to help organisations make their operations less risky, more efficient, and more aligned with their strategic goals. Achieving that requires true partnership – working alongside clients so that our experience and expertise blend seamlessly with their own vision. It’s about taking the time to deeply understand their context, aspirations, and challenges, then co-creating solutions that are intuitive, robust, and future-ready. When we get this right, the impact is far-reaching: not only does the client succeed, but the benefits often ripple out into the communities and sectors they serve. That’s the kind of contribution I want to make – helping create outcomes that matter for both business and society.