Gold Coast 2018 secures KPMG as first second-tier partner

Professional services group KPMG has agreed a deal to become a partner of the 2018 Commonwealth Games multi-sport event, which will take place in the Gold Coast region of Australia.

KPMG has been named the official services advisor to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC). The firm becomes the first tier-two sponsor of the Games.

Kate Jones, Minister for the Commonwealth Games, said: “The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be the biggest event in Australia this decade and KPMG will play a key behind-the-scenes role by providing financial planning, risk management, taxation and internal audit expertise to GOLDOC.

“KPMG is the only ‘big four’ professional services firm with a dedicated office on the Gold Coast and will bring more local knowledge and expertise to the Games as the first tier two sponsor.”

GOLDOC has so far agreed two top-tier partnerships. In October it named Australian education establishment Griffith University the official university partner of Gold Coast 2018 and the Australian national team. Echo Entertainment Group and its Jupiters Hotel and Casino development signed on as the first official partner of the Games in August.

GOLDOC chief executive Mark Peters (pictured) added: “In the past four months we have signed two tier one sponsors, and KPMG’s signing today as our first tier two sponsor is another reason to feel very confident with the calibre of support we are receiving. It reinforces that, with less than two and a half years until GC2018, planning for the Games is well and truly on track.”

The 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place from April 4-15.