Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA
The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) today announced the retirement of long-serving Board Director Johnpaul Dimech and the appointment of Keith Weston, Managing Director of Sodexo Australia, as Sodexo’s new representative on the AREEA Board.
Mr Dimech – who is Sodexo’s Zone President Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), Brazil and Latin America – steps down after 15 years of distinguished service, having served as an AREEA Board member from 2010 to 2025.
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
AREEA is the largest and most diverse national employer group for the Australian resources and energy industry.
Its members include employers in hard rock and critical minerals mining, oil and gas, coal, smelting, refining, transport, logistics, engineering and all other supply and servicing sectors.
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
Full profiles on the AREEA Board of Directors can be found at: https://www.areea.com.au/who-we-are/areea-people/
| Image: Johnpaul Dimech | Image: Keith Weston |
High resolution images are available on request.
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