The Directors of GEM Consulting last night announced that Tony Howarth has accepted the position of co-Chairman of the firm's Advisory Board and that the ownership and control of the firm has returned to Australia with the acquisition by the Directors of
The Directors of GEM Consulting last night announced that Tony Howarth has accepted the position of co-Chairman of the firm's Advisory Board and that the ownership and control of the firm has returned to Australia with the acquisition by the Directors of 70% of GEM Consulting from GijimaAst.
GEM's new management shareholders also hold a 2-year option over the remaining 30 per cent.
The announcements were made to 150 senior business leaders, staff and friends of GEM Consulting at a 10th Anniversary celebration on Wednesday night at Frasers Function Centre in Kings Park.
Tony takes on the role having recently retired as Chairman of Alinta Limited. With over 35 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, his unique experience leading the Alinta Board through a successful privatisation and subsequent dramatic growth and his prominence in the Perth market, Tony is well placed to make an invaluable contribution to the future growth and development of GEM Consulting. Tony will share the Chairman role with GEM's existing Chairman, Mark Barnaba.
GijimaAst, a large South African IT services provider, acquired GEM in November 2000 from the founding partners of the Perth - based management consulting and corporate advisory firm. The divestment is part of a change of strategy by GijimaAst that has seen it reduce its involvement in management consulting to focus on its core IT services business.
The 70% share is held by the four GEM Directors; Brian Beresford, Stuart Love, Robert Radley and Darren Smith. The Directors are pleased to retain GijimaAst as a major shareholder and supporter and look forward to continuing to work with GijimaAst on developing and capturing consulting engagements in South Africa as an extension of GEM's Australian business.
The joint Managing Directors of GEM, Robert Radley and Darren Smith, believe that these two events represent a very significant milestone for the firm, coming as they do on the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the company and a record breaking year for its management consulting business. Capturing Tony's experience, market knowledge and mentorship will add greatly to GEM's ability to continue to identify and deliver value adding outcomes to our clients. Returning majority equity and control to the GEM management team will provide improved continuity and incentive for the current management team and a clear career path for GEM's next generation of leadership. Together these outcomes will contribute greatly toward ensuring that GEM's next 10 years are as successful as the last.
GEM Consulting is Perth's leading boutique management consulting and corporate advisory firm. GEM has been advising leading Australian and international companies on strategy, operational effectiveness and corporate strategy since 1996. Recent clients include BHP Billiton, Alinta Limited, Newcrest Mining, iiNet, Fortescue Metals Group, The Water Corporation, Home/StateWest and Iluka Resources.
