Accounting and consulting agency RSM has appointed firm veteran Louis Quintal as its new nationwide lead accomplice for manufacturing. He takes over from nationwide government Jessica Olivier.
Initially becoming a member of in Johannesburg, Quintal has been with RSM for the previous twenty years, together with a stint as CEO of RSM South Africa previous to transferring with the agency to Australia as an audit accomplice in 2022.
Based mostly out of Sydney, Quintal takes over from fellow accomplice Jessica Olivier, who has carried out the manufacturing companies management function for the previous two and a half years and has now been promoted to ‘nationwide government’.
“I’m thrilled to step into this function and drive our manufacturing technique ahead,” Quintal acknowledged, including that the agency has been busy constructing its experience throughout numerous service choices inside the business, together with as to digital, cybersecurity, and ESG. “My objective is to proceed increasing our capabilities and addressing the evolving wants and challenges of the sector.”
Following a commerce diploma with the College of Johannesburg, it took Quintal little time from becoming a member of RSM South Africa as a graduate to being admitted to the partnership after which appointed head of audit, incomes him the worldwide community’s Rising Star of 12 months award in 2019. Following that, he spent a yr as chief government officer till late 2021, earlier than migrating to Australia.
Whereas Quintal has additionally amassed expertise offering monetary and technical recommendation to the retail, expertise, and property & building sectors amongst others all through his two-decade profession, his main focus has been on manufacturing purchasers – though the change from Africa to Australia has necessitated the power to study and adapt because of the vastly completely different manufacturing landscapes.
Talking with business publication Producer’s Month-to-month, Quintal famous that whereas Africa has a low-cost base and excessive stage of exercise, the manufacturing sector in Australia should take care of various native challenges relative to opponents elsewhere within the Asia Pacific, together with excessive labour prices, elevated power and rental costs, and different regulatory and geopolitical components.
One overarching resolution, Quintal says, is a better tilt in direction of expertise; “The sector must concentrate on reaching efficiencies and producing high-quality merchandise at a decrease price by means of superior automation and robotics. We have to embrace change and construct sturdy partnerships. Personally, I’m a hands-on sort of particular person, and revel in seeing issues evolve.”
In the meantime, Olivier, who joined RSM from PwC in 2016 and beforehand labored at KPMG within the UK, steps into the nationwide government function to help the implementation of the agency’s world 2023 technique on the native stage. She is going to nevertheless proceed her work as an R&D accomplice and stay on RSM’s Nationwide Manufacturing committee to make sure a easy handover within the coming months.
