Deloitte has launched a global crisis management centre to help protect clients’ reputations when disaster strikes.

Former Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Graeme Newton will set up the Australia and southeast Asia branch of the global operation.

“Our task is to help clients prepare and respond quickly and effectively wherever the crisis or combination of crises is in the world, and ultimately emerge stronger,” he said.

Brisbane-based Mr Newton will link Australia and southeast Asia to Deloitte’s other centres worldwide.

Deloitte Forensic Risk Services Leader Chris Noble says crises are highly varied and include natural disasters, cyber attacks, financial crime, supply chain failure or disease such as the Ebola outbreak.

“The triggers can be quite different,” he said. “But there is commonality in how you go about responding to a crisis. That’s why we put the centre together.”

Deloitte says the first 20 days following an event are crucial. A quick and effective response reduces damage.

“It has been identified that having a robust, evidence-based reputation strategy in place will minimise the likelihood of a critical event turning into a reputation crisis,” Mr Newton said.