Craig brings more than 25 years of experience spanning corporate finance advisory and senior executive leadership in the university sector. He joins MinterEllison from the University of Tasmania (UTAS), where he served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Services and Operations, having previously been Vice-President for Strategy, Finance & Marketing and Chief Strategy Officer, among other roles. During his time at UTAS, Craig led a number of major reform initiatives, including strategy development, international and offshore expansion, new campus models and the implementation of AI. 

Craig is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Michael Wells, Partner and Practice Lead for Education Consulting at MinterEllison, said: 

“Craig’s appointment marks a significant step forward for our Education Consulting practice. His background in corporate finance and senior university leadership is exactly the blend of skills and lived experience our clients need as the sector faces significant upheaval and commercial transformation. Craig adds significant strategic and commercial depth to our market-leading education and regulatory offering and ensures we are well placed to support clients in an increasingly complex environment.” 

Commenting on his appointment, Craig Barling said: 

“I am excited to be joining MinterEllison’s Education Consulting team at such a pivotal time for the sector. The practice has built an outstanding reputation in regulatory and governance advisory, and there is a significant opportunity to build on that platform with deeper commercial capability, particularly as universities and other providers navigate mergers, restructures and major strategic change. I’m looking forward to working with Michael and the wider team, and to collaborating with colleagues across the firm to support clients through these challenges.” 

Craig's appointment builds on the strength of the Education Consulting practice since its formation through the merger with Wells Advisory in October 2023.