Mr Longes was previously a partner in the law firm, Freehills and was a co-founder of Investec Wentworth (Pty) Ltd (formerly Wentworth Associates). He holds or has held positions with government advisory boards, including the review of the National Museum and the Fund's Management Committee for the IIF programme, and non-profit organisations. He was previously chairman of MLC Limited, Investa Office Fund, Investec Australia Limited and GPT Group and a non-executive director of Metcash Ltd, Boral Limited and Lend Lease Corporation Limited.