AREEA has announced the retirement from the AREEA Board of long-serving director Johnpaul Dimech and welcomes the appointment of Keith Weston, Managing Director of Sodexo Australia, as Sodexo’s new AREEA Board representative.

Mr Dimech has served as an AREEA Director from 2010 to 2025 (see video commemorating his time on the Board at bottom of this post).

Throughout his tenure, Mr Dimech has been a strong advocate for employment outcomes and opportunities in the resources services sector, bringing deep operational, commercial and global leadership experience to the national employer group.

Mr Dimech was also a key supporter of several important workforce initiatives launched by AREEA during his time on the Board, including the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (2011), the Bright Future STEM Primary School Program (2018), and a range of mental health and wellbeing initiatives, an area of long-standing personal commitment for Mr Dimech.

AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM paid tribute to Mr Dimech’s outstanding contribution to the organisation and its members.

“Johnpaul’s service to AREEA over the past 15 years has been exceptional,” Mr Knott said.

“He joined the Board at a time of significant change in workplace relations and went on to provide leadership and guidance across five terms of Australian Parliament, helping steer AREEA’s advocacy through successive waves of industrial relations reform, skills shortages and workforce challenges.

“Johnpaul has been a tireless and thoughtful voice for the resources services sector, ensuring the perspectives of contractors and service providers were front and centre in AREEA’s policy positions and engagement with government.

“On behalf of the Board, members and management, I sincerely thank Johnpaul for his commitment, judgement and contribution to AREEA’s work over a decade and a half.”

Mr Knott said the Board was pleased to welcome Keith Weston as Sodexo’s new representative.

“Keith is an accomplished leader with more than 30 years’ experience across remote sites, offshore and on-site operations, and global sales and business development,” he said.

“As Managing Director of Sodexo Australia, Keith brings deep expertise in the delivery of essential services to the resources and energy sector, along with a strong focus on safety, workforce capability and organisational culture.

“Like Johnpaul, Keith also has a deep personal commitment to psychological safety and psychosocial hazard risk reduction in the workplace.

“His experience leading complex operations and major growth initiatives will be a valuable addition to the AREEA Board as we continue to advocate for practical, balanced workplace relations settings and a sustainable workforce for our industry.”

About AREEA’s Board

As of 16 December 2025, the AREEA Board comprises:

• Julie Fallon (AREEA President), Executive Vice President Technical and Energy Development, Woodside Energy Limited
• Tom Quinn (AREEA Vice President), Non-Executive Director, pitt&sherry and Vast
• Jo Taylor (AREEA Vice President), Managing Director, Compass Group Australia
• André Labuschagne, Executive Chairman, Aeris Resources
• Mark Norwell, Managing Director & CEO, Perenti
• Bill Townsend, Senior Vice President Corporate, INPEX
• Keith Weston, Managing Director, Sodexo Australia
• Simon Younger, Chair, ExxonMobil Australia

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Full profiles for all Board members can be found at AREEA People.

View video commemorating 15 years of distinguished service to the AREEA Board by outgoing Director, Johnpaul Dimech.