About

The purpose of this site is to share Best Practices, Concepts and Experiences in the areas of Managing Projects and Project (Program) Management Offices.

The content of the site is prepared and shared by Karel Driessen, the founder and Chief Executive of M5 Consulting Limited.

Karel has an extensive background in general management, project and program management, built up during a 35 year long career working for Cap Gemini Benelux, SAP New Zealand and in the recent years as M5 Consulting Limited working with Ballance, Fulton Hogan and Zespri. 

Karel started his career working for Cap Gemini, an international consulting firm. During his 15 years at Cap Gemini he managed large IT projects for several customers. During the last 10 years he was General Manager for several business units, such as Chemical / Oil & Gas and Fast Moving Consumer Goods. 

After his move to New Zealand in 1998 he joined SAP as deputy managing director, responsible for Consulting, Education and Risk Management. During his 10 years at SAP he was the Executive sponsor for many of the SAP implementations for New Zealand customers, such as Foodstuffs South Island, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited and The Farmers’ Trading Company Limited. He was member of the Global Steering Group for the PM@SAP project. 

In 2008 Karel established (M5 Consulting Limited), with a focus to assist customers in the areas of Project & Program Management and Governance. In that capacity he assisted companies such as Ballance Agri Nutrients and Zespri International Limited in their delivery of change through projects. Over the past 3 years he was responsible for the establishment and management of the Zespri Enterprise Program Management Office.

In his personal life, Karel was a director at Avalon, a not-for-profit organisation for people with disabilities. He served that organisation 3 years as a Director and 5 years as Chair of the Board. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.

He is married with two children and lives in Tauranga, New Zealand.