TRA, which is based in Auckland, set up its Sydney office in 2022, and has since expanded its team from four to 14.

The expansion of the Sydney office has necessitated a new site in the Surry Hills district in the city, with the new office having been recently refurbished with space for up to 30 people.

Alongside the change in office, TRA has also made four promotions across its Sydney and Melbourne teams.

In Sydney, Ferne McKinley has been promoted from account director to senior account director. McKinley first joined TRA in Auckland in 2019 as an insights specialist before relocating to Sydney in 2022 as a senior consultant.   

Also in Sydney, Gemma Hall has been promoted from account lead to account director, while Charlotte Saunders moves from qualitative lead to senior qualitative lead. 
 
In Melbourne, Karthik Krishnamurthy has been promoted from senior consultant to account lead. 

Sophie Cooper will also return to the business in May as senior account director, further adding to the Sydney leadership team. Cooper was at TRA between 2019 and 2021, and has subsequently worked at Kantar in Auckland and Canvas8 in London.

Terri Hall, managing partner, Australia at TRA, said: “Since launching in Sydney with just four people a few years ago, the growth of our team and our client partnerships has exceeded our expectations. 

“Our new Sydney headquarters gives us the space and environment to continue building an exceptional team culture while delivering the clarity and commercial impact our clients expect. It’s been thoughtfully designed as a place where our people can come together to do their best work and where clients feel inspired when they walk through the door.” 

Hall added: “These promotions recognise the incredible contribution TRA’s team in Sydney and Melbourne have made to the growth of the business. Ferne, Gemma, Charlotte, Sophie and Karthik are all outstanding future leaders who embody the curiosity, creativity and collaboration that define The Research Agency.”