Charles Penny, Managing Director of AREA3 Consulting, is excited to announce the engagement of Gideon van der Westhuizen as Director of AREA3 Consulting in Victoria.

“Gideon brings extensive experience gained over the last 30 years advising and delivering projects in both the infrastructure and built environments, where he has delivered and advised on multi-million dollar capital projects globally, spanning Australia, the Asia-Pacific, Asia, Africa, the UK and USA. Gideon’s work is well regarded in a range of sectors, most notably the infrastructure, mining, transport, corporate and government sectors.

“He is ready to assist our clients by identifying sound, value-adding opportunities using both his extensive global contact network and significant corporate and commercial experience. AREA3 Consulting is now able to embrace a philosophy of delivering quality services that are politically savvy, morally defensible and economically sound. Our experience has shown that by assisting clients in unlocking institutional bottlenecks – be they regulatory, commercial, legal or financial – and though de-risking projects, we can deliver a positive impact on their bottom line.

“Gideon will assist AREA3 Consulting to further enhance these successes and we look forward to growing our business in Victoria with his support.”

 — Charles Penny, Managing Director AREA3

When asked what he will bring to AREA3, Gideon said, “I am looking forward to getting started with AREA3 Consulting and ensuring clients benefit from my experience as a consultant and advisor to major corporate entities globally, within both the private and public sectors, including working with companies like Exxaro, Telstra, Transdev, Vale, Global Switch, Telecom New Zealand, Exxon Mobil, Packer Broadcasting, Orica, Westpac, CBA, ANZ, BHP Billiton and Rio.

My detailed advisory experience includes enterprise-wide risk management, business case assessment, international due diligence services, cost-benefit analysis, transaction advice, contract and procurement advisory services, and the analysis of project financing options.”

When asked what he has learnt from his most recent experience working for Oxfam – one of the world’s largest humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organisations – Gideon said, “The last five years have seen me contribute to building a more resilient international organisation, from governance, risk and corporate perspectives – including working through a number of major and potentially costly risk issues. I will bring to AREA3 Consulting the learnings I have been privy to, such as how to manage and deliver effective programs in highly volatile and complex environments for key institutional donors or the vulnerable people we served. I will ensure that not only do I apply these lessons, but I will also aim to inspire our numerous clients to be the best they can.”

— Gideon van der Westhuizen, Director AREA3