PricewaterhouseCoopers has today announced plans to strengthen its business advisory presence in Western Australia with the acquisition of Perth’s leading management consulting firm, GEM Consulting.
Started in 1996, GEM Consulting has built a world-class team of specialists from consultancies, corporations and universities. With strong domestic and international experience, GEM Consulting has a solid reputation in the resources, mining, manufacturing and utilities sectors.
Newly appointed Perth Office Managing Partner, John O’Connor, likened PwC’s acquisition of GEM Consulting as a meeting of great minds.
“This acquisition gives PwC and GEM Consulting the capacity to realise shared growth aspirations and to create a stronger, more distinctive footprint not just in Perth but nationally.
“Clients of both firms will benefit as we will be better positioned to provide a more comprehensive range of best practice advisory services and advice.”
The acquisition of GEM Consulting and its three partners – Robert Radley, Darren Smith and Brian Beresford – will boost PwC’s Perth advisory practice to 6 partners and approximately 80 staff.
Robert Radley, Managing Director GEM, said, “We are excited about the integration into PwC’s Advisory practice and believe that our domestic and international expertise, pragmatic mindset and personal hands-on approach will not only complement but enhance PwC’s depth of knowledge and skills across key industries.”
The integration of GEM Consulting will take effect from 28 November, 2007.
BACKGROUND
About GEM Consulting
Founded in 1996, GEM Consulting is a world class management consulting and corporate advisory business with specialists from major international consultancies, corporations and universities.
With a strong reputation in the Western Australian market, GEM Consulting has broad industry experience with a focus on resources, mining, manufacturing and utilities with services including growth strategy, operational effectiveness and performance improvement. The consultancy has a staff of three principals and 20 employees.
GEM Consulting have a diverse international client base across a range of industries – from several of Australia’s top 30 corporations through to mid size organisations and smaller start up companies.
Their approach integrates the core skills of management consulting and corporate advisory with a hard-edged commercial and operational perspective.
The talented, experienced team have a personal, hands-on approach with partnership and collaboration being the hallmarks of GEM’s working philosophy.
About John O’Connor
On 1 October, 2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers partner John O’Connor was appointed Perth Office Managing Partner.
A partner with the firm for more than 18 years, John will take over the leadership reins from Andrew Edwards. In his new position, John will play a pivotal role in inspiring, directing and managing the future growth of the Perth office. Andrew will continue to lead the Perth Advisory practice and play a key role in the integration.
A PwC veteran, John started his professional career with Coopers in the UK before moving to the Australian Firm. In his 24 years in Perth, John has held various roles including:
- Head of the Perth Assurance practice for three years
- Global Relationship Partner and joint global audit partner for Rio Tinto from 2000 to 2007
- Lead audit partner on many WA based listed and unlisted companies
A specialist in the resources sector, he has diverse experience across sectors such as property and construction, health and oil and gas.
John is well known among the Western Australian business community and has strong working relationships with WA based Australian and global organisations.
Media Contact:
Dannielle Hinwood
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Communications
02 8266 0636
0418 211 540
dannielle.hinwood@au.pwc.com
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