Clare is a deeply experienced designer who likes to ‘lift the bonnet’ to uncover what makes an organisation tick. She knows that all organisations are different and takes the time to listen and genuinely understand what makes people get out of bed each morning. Clare’s secret power is her empathy and she thrives on collaborating and connecting talented humans. A newcomer to gardening, Clare loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty and dreaming about what she’ll plant next.

Matthew joined Ocean as a graduate and became a partner in the agency in 2024. Matt has established a reputation as a digital design specialist who is expert in merging digital technologies and data to find new ways to solve old problems for clients. Matt enjoys helping redefine and grow brands, exploring and bringing data, digital, and design together.Outside of work, Matt’s focus is his two young tamariki, but with time permitting can be found on a surfboard.

Rhueben brings experience from his human-centred and design thinking background. He joined the partnership in 2024. Immersing himself in strategy through to execution as a designer, he has a portfolio of leading large scale brand change, to working with smaller organisations to help shape them into the best versions of themselves. His passion for design is fuelled by creating better outcomes for Māori and Pasifika so relishes the chance to support this. Outside of work, it is no coincidence he’s collecting kaimoana. He just loves all things Ocean.

Owner of Ocean, Blair has over 25 years' experience as a designer. He believes that design in its purest form is a problem-solving process, and that is what our clients need from us. Be it branding or communication design, the principles remain the same. Focus on and understand the people who the design will touch, and then, and only then, may you actually have a chance of succeeding. Speaking of success, Blair is a lifelong Liverpool supporter.

Sam defies labels. Ocean's renaissance man, he is equally at home helping a client formulate a complex digital brief as he is building a wall in our offices. Nearing 15 years at Ocean, Sam has built an unmatched level of trust and respect with our clients as an agile and dedicated problem solver. Extremely pragmatic, Sam holds an unerring eye on the future and the implications this may hold for Ocean and our clients. He once had a pet chicken called Chooky. Don't ask.