Sequana has announced the high-profile appointment of Deb Neumann to the newly created role of Director – Strategic Environment and Planning.
In this role, she will lead the company’s strengthened and specialised environment and planning services, aimed at delivering improved outcomes for both the environment and communities.
Sequana is Australian-owned and operated company, with a nimble, flexible and innovative approach which is perfectly attuned to the unique conditions and market of Australia. As an accomplished and fast-growing independent client-side project and program management consultancies, Sequana is reaffirming its focus by offering a full suite of project services.
The new environment and planning offering reinforces Sequana’s vision to shape and advance sustainable water, energy, and environmental solutions, enabling its practices in the water sector to become more sustainable while expanding and evolving specialised environmental and planning services within the energy and strategic advisory sectors.
True to its purpose of partnering with clients to achieve better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment, Sequana’s enhanced offering will support its clients with a focus on Nature Positive and Nature-Based Solutions.
Deb is a trusted advisor with over 20 years experience working directly with State and Commonwealth Governments and major clients across the water and energy pace. She has a background in the delivery of major infrastructure projects and strategic land use and environmental advice across urban and regional settings. Most recently, Deb was Head of Environment and Planning at BlueFloat Energy where she was responsible for the environment, planning and policy workstream for its offshore wind projects across Australia. Before this, she worked at Jacobs for almost twenty years in a variety of roles, including APACME Technical Director for Statutory and Strategic Planning.
”Deb brings a strong reputation of leadership in the environment and planning sector to Sequana, with extensive experience delivering planning, environment and land use advice and approvals across the utilities sector. She has built longstanding relationships with key industry leaders across numerous jurisdictions, and specialises in complex projects, something Sequana is also renowned for,” says Frank Fisseler, Sequana Chief Executive Officer.
”In her role, Deb will bring strategic and innovative thinking to how complex environmental and planning approvals are delivered, challenging business-as-usual approaches and facilitating earlier environmental and planning considerations to support efficient and streamlined project and program delivery. We are extremely excited to have someone of Deb’s calibre join our senior leadership team and know it will be game-changing for not only Sequana but our industry.”
Further bolstering the team, Sequana has appointed industry-leading environmental and planning practitioners Anne Cormack as Associate Director, Environment and Planning and Melanie Tranter as Associate Director, Strategic Environment.
Anne joins Sequana with almost 16 years of experience in environmental planning and assessment, with Melanie bringing over 20 years’ experience in the water and natural resources industry in the public and private sectors.
Sequana’s Environment and Planning Leads Paul Neilson and Sarah Hale, along with Anshika Gupta, will play pivotal roles in this enhanced offering. The evolution of the team showcases Sequana’s ability to bring together experienced and diverse leaders who share a passion and unique lens, bringing together the best minds in the sector, all with different experiences and expertise to benefit the industry at large.
The environment is at the heart of every project Sequana works on, both in water and energy, and Deb is excited by the opportunity to be at the forefront of this by ensuring that the environment is a critical consideration from project inception.
“I have been watching Sequana from the sidelines for a few years now and have been impressed with its reputation for getting things done and how the organisation is renowned for being a trusted advisor and advocate for its clients. We are on the cusp of a real step change in our industry with an insurmountable task ahead as we tackle the realities of the climate crisis”
“There is a real need for more strategic and innovative thinking when it comes to environmental and planning considerations, and in project and program delivery for our clients. We need pragmatic solutions, and smart, cost-effective delivery approaches and the passion and skills to ensure an enduring legacy. Our strengthened Environment and Planning offering will help identify and overcome challenges and mean complex projects can be implemented in an efficient and streamlined way,” Deb said.
Sequana is also actively engaged throughout the life cycle of a project unlocking partnerships with Traditional Custodians, integrating their knowledge of land and water management, and empowering local communities.
As the environmental industry faces pressing global challenges, Sequana’s enhanced approach will benefit local communities and preserve Australia’s natural heritage.
“Our clients will benefit from more strategic and innovative environmental and planning approval strategies and holistic methods. This integrated approach will lead to better, more streamlined project outcomes and aim to influence policy development.” Frank said.
To find out more about Sequana’s strengthened strategic environment and planning offering visit www.sequana.co or contact enquiry@sequana.co.
Media contacts:
Zoe Walsh
National Director – Marketing, Communications & Engagement
+61 407 438 726
zoe.walsh@sequana.co
Camille Filippi Eccles
Communications and Marketing Manager
+61 421 819 116
camille.eccles@sequana.co
