After working in Australia and Japan in Government positions, Gilbert established his own business development consultancy in 1988. He is the principal of Gilbert George & Associates Pty Ltd which has provided strategic advice to companies in Australia, Africa, Japan, the US and Europe and been involved in over $950 million of new investment in Australia, in the resource, IT, food processing and service sectors. He holds directorships in the following unlisted companies: Bedley Holdings Pty Ltd, Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd and Governor Holdings Pty Ltd. Gilbert has also been a member of a number of charities and state government and international advisory committees, including Anglicare and the Asian Round Table.