GHD Advisory supports asset owners in a transforming world

Australia was one of the first economies to see infrastructure as an investment class. Today competition for public private partnerships and capital recycling opportunities remains high.

Having provided technical due diligence and yield optimisation on more than $100 billion worth of infrastructure acquisitions, divestments and refinancing since 2009, GHD has launched a dedicated GHD Advisory capability to enhance services to public and private sector clients. GHD’s Advisory business is headed by Mark Read, who previously led GHD’s growth strategies and client service initiatives in Australia. He is a former CEO of a listed company and held senior roles with global multidisciplinary consultancies.

Mark explains, “GHD has always offered services that go beyond design and delivery of assets, we are now extending those capabilities with a distinctive service offering and a new brand. GHD Advisory enables us to leverage our global connected network as we drive to deliver enhanced value across our clients’ business life cycle, through a blend of technical leadership and commercial acumen.”

“Infrastructure is a long-term asset, with economic life cycles in excess of 50 years and typically a long term operating cost that is much greater than upfront ownership. As investors move away from a ‘bid to win’ to a ‘bid to own’ mindset, there is an increased demand for strategic advice that goes beyond the finance and accounting disciplines, and integrates insights from professionals who have experience across the asset life cycle: in infrastructure design, delivery and operations,” says Richard Fechner, who leads GHD Advisory’s Infrastructure Investment and Economics area.

GHD Advisory helps asset owners improve infrastructure delivery and operations, and support the long-term sustainability of their businesses. In the public sector, it not only informs individual transactions, but also delivers solid and meaningful business cases that enable governments to make smarter investment decisions, prioritise investment and improve service delivery.

Ashley Wright, CEO says, “To respond to our clients’ needs more effectively, a key strategic imperative is to extend our services from the beginning of the asset’s life cycle, when a project is planned, designed and constructed, through its operations and maintenance, and ultimately to decommissioning, closure and capital recycling. One of the ways we are doing this is by investing in digital systems that add a new dimension to our traditional strengths, such as virtual reality and data analytics.”

In addition to infrastructure investment and economics, GHD Advisory also offers a targeted range of services in asset management, strategic communications, regulatory and risk, digital and innovation.