Sunith de Fonseka

Associate Director - Melbourne

Sunith is an Associate Director in the Risk Advisory division in Melbourne.

Sunith is a dynamic professional who has successfully transitioned from the field of aerospace engineering to become an experienced Associate Director within the Risk Advisory division.

With a strong foundation in engineering principles and a keen eye for identifying and mitigating risks, Sunith brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic thinking. 

Having studied and worked in aerospace engineering for over a decade, Sunith developed a deep understanding of complex systems, safety protocols, and risk management practices. His experience in the aerospace industry also equipped him with the ability to analyse intricate technical processes and assess potential risks with precision and accuracy. 

Driven by his passion for problem-solving and a desire to make a broader impact, Sunith made a strategic career shift to PMO and M&A integration. Leveraging his engineering background, he seamlessly transitioned into the role where he now helps organisations across various industries identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks to safeguard their operations and enhance overall performance.

"I like to think outside the box and come up with practical solutions. I can also cut through all the noise and deal with ambiguity."

His motivation stems from his long and illustrious career in defence. For Sunith, it has always been about solving complex problems with the limited resources available whilst empowering the team to achieve their full potential. He now gets to apply the same principles with his clients in the Australian public and private sector.

Prior to moving to Australia and joining RSM, Sunith was with the Corporate and Investment Bank of J. P. Morgan in London. Prior to that, he was a Commissioned Engineer Officer with the Royal Air Force - leading diverse teams and delivering complex projects across the globe. 

Outside the office, Sunith is an avid fan of basketball. Sunith played basketball at an international level, competing at the FIBA Asian Championships. He has also been lucky enough to have traveled to over 50 countries across 6 continents and loves exploring new cultures. 

SOLUTIONS Sunith PROVIDES

•    Management consulting
•    Program and project management
•    Project assurance
•    M&A transition and integration
•    Crisis management and business continuity
•    Enterprise risk management

SIGNIFICANT PROJECTs

•    Led the Operational & Risk Due Diligence as well as the establishment of the Transition & Integration (T&I) Project Management Office (PMO) for a UK-based Defence and Technology client (FTSE 250) with their acquisition of a Small and Medium Enterprise in Australia. This project enabled him to capitalise on his Defence background together with his expertise in project management.
•    Led the multi-year assurance services to a major public-sector client across a portfolio of over 40 infrastructure projects. Stakeholder management has been pivotal in this project - Sunith worked closely with over 25 contractors (construction firms) and designers (consulting firms) to ensure the engagement objectives are met.

ASSOCIATIONS

•    Certified Practising Accountant (CPA)
•    Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)
•    Project Management Professional (PMP)

QUALIFICATIONS

•    MBA - Cranfield University
•    MPhil (Engineering) - University of Cambridge
•    MSc (Accounting and Finance)
•    BEng (Aerospace Engineering) - University of Liverpool
•    Bsc (Aerospace Engineering and Airworthiness Management)