Sharing the beauty of Australia

Dreaming of owning a small business from a young age, Phillipa Leggo never imagined it would be a creative one with her husband. The pair showcase stunning landscapes from around Australia through Scott Leggo’s award-winning photography.

Tell us about your career path.

I come from a large corporate background, in predominantly commercially focused finance roles. I started in audit and worked my up to be a Chief Financial Officer. I’ve been fortunate to work for a range of well-known Australian brands from KPMG, Wesfarmers and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Travel in Melbourne, Newcastle and Canberra.

After a career in finance, I wanted to experience something different, but equally apply the commercial insights I had gained within a business that was more mine. That’s how I ended up taking a very different path to land where I am now.

What inspired you to start Scott Leggo Gallery?

I’ve always enjoyed time outdoors and love being able to share the natural beauty of Australia with a global audience. It’s an awesome excuse to travel and get outdoors. I’m my own boss, which has some benefits with flexibility around working from home when I need to juggle two little people.

What are your key strengths?

I enjoy people and am a people person.

I enjoy working with people and our business and the opportunities it provides allow me to do that. As a senior leader, I love to mentor women in business and give back to the community. I’m a mentor of the not-for-profit organisation Mentor Walks and love the opportunity to help other women on their journeys to back themselves and reach their full potential. I love connecting people, too.

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

We sell Scott’s award-winning artworks across Australia and internationally. Our strengths are the depth and breadth of our collection, as well as the quality of our finished products. We have a wide range of premium and unique photographs from across Australia. Every state and territory is covered and the collection is continually growing.

Another strength is our agility – the ability to make a decision and move quickly allows us to respond to the changing market but also to meet evolving customer requirements. It’s certainly an advantage we have over large corporate businesses.

Our ability to be creative and understand business is a unique strength. Many small business owners are creative but don’t necessarily have the business acumen and experience to support their ideas. Scott and I have a great balance in this regard and are better together. However, we both could be better at switching off, versus having ideas and problem-solving at 11pm. That’s equally a challenge when your personal partner is your business partner.

Where to from here?

Our new gallery was officially opened by the Governor-General of Australia in June 2023. We’re extremely proud of the new gallery – the whole space has been designed and every aspect considered.

We have big plans – to truly become Australia’s leading provider of landscape photography-based artworks and gifts. We really are a business that is about helping others experience Australia and we are very focused on that.

Shop local and Australian made at Scott Leggo Gallery, 33 Jardine Street, Kingston. Open 7 days. Online: scottleggo.com