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Conference Speakers

2024 hunter defence conference

Speakers

Below is the list of currently confirmed speakers for HDC2024. This page will be updated regularly as new speakers join the program.

If you are speaking at the Conference, please scroll down to complete the Speaker Confirmation Form

day one - wednesday 21 august

Meet the speakers who will be joining #HDC2024 on Day One.

Assistant Secretary – Joint Information Capabilities

Nelson Bates

Mr Bates began his career in the ADF as an Armament Engineer and began working mostly on guided weapon systems. From 2000, Mr Bates worked in various acquisition engineering and project management roles in Aerospace and Guided Weapons. During the year 2000, Mr Bates was awarded the Herbert Smith Award by the Royal Air Force.

In 2004, Mr Bates transitioned out of the Air force and into the Defence Public Service. Mr Bates was promoted to Director of Acquisition and Sustainment Engineering for the Capability, Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) in 2011.

Following Mr Bates’ success in the Defence Public Service, in 2019 he was promoted to Assistant Secretary Chief Systems Engineer. Mr Bates excelled in this role of strategic direction which held the responsibilities of providing engineering policies, procedures and guidance, while sponsoring the enabling information management systems.

Since 2019, Mr Bates has been working within various Assistant Secretary positions which have included Joint Space Service and Joint Integrated Capabilities. These roles saw Mr Bates managing military space satellite communications and assured position navigation and timing within the Joint Capabilities Group.

Mr Bates has played a vital part in the subsequent delivery of numerous joint projects and sustainment activities throughout his career.

In January 2023, the Joint Integrated Capabilities Branch was re-established into the Joint Information Capabilities Branch of which Mr Bates continues his successful leadership. This role has Mr Bates managing the areas of Cyber and Influence, Joint Electronic Warfare, Training Areas and Simulation, Assured Position Navigation and Timing and Health programs.

Mr Bates has a Masters of Science in Aerosystems Engineering from the University of Loughborough (UK) and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the University of New South Wales.

Director General Platforms – Army

Brigadier Colin Bassett

Brigadier Colin Bassett has undertaken a number of command, staff and capability development appointments throughout his career. Brigadier Bassett is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) where he was selected and subsequently completed the CGSC Joint Warfare Program and was ultimately awarded a Master’s Degree in Military Arts and Science.

Brigadier Basset’s command appointments have included Army’s air dispatch capability, 176 Air Dispatch Squadron and the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion as part of Army’s 3rd Combat Brigade. His operational experience includes deployments to East Timor (Operation Tanager) and numerous deployments across the broader Middle East Region (Operations Slipper, Catalyst, Okra and Highroad).

Brigadier Bassett has served in a number of key staff appointments including Army’s 3rd
Combat Brigade, Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Joint Logistics Command and Army Headquarters.

Brigadier Bassett’s current appointment is Director General Platforms – Army, within Army Headquarters. This role has him leading a number of Army’s complex and diverse Capability Modernisation efforts, responsible for multiple, multi-billion dollar and multi-decade programs.

Platforms Branch includes the Land Combat Vehicle Program (LCVP), Land Mobility and Support Program (LM&SP), Dismounted Combat Program (DCP) and the Land Training Capability (DLTC). Collectively these programs will deliver many of the core components of Army’s Combined Arms Fighting System as well as the next generation of supporting health, logistics, littoral manoeuvre, and training capabilities for Army and parts of the Joint Force.

Kate Banville
MC, Facilitator and Internationally Published Journalist

Kate Banville

Kate is a professional emcee and journalist with extensive experience across radio, broadcast and print. She has award-winning and internationally published reports with a focus on covering areas of national security, defence, agriculture and rural affairs.

Kate came to journalism after 7 years serving in the Australian Army where she held predominately deployment management administration positions which saw her regularly deal with policy, member entitlements and the delivery of various briefings to defence members.

Kate is a strong communicator who uses her professional skills to translate and report information in a way broader society can easily understand.

John Fry
Managing Director, Kongsberg Defence Australia

John Fry

Based in Canberra, John commenced the role of Managing Director in 2019 where he has since been responsible for establishing and growing Kongsberg's business operations in Australia. This has included the manufacture and integration of key sub-systems for the NASAMS Ground Based Air Defence capability, the Protected Mobile Fires capability, and the Naval Strike Missile capability, through an Australian production team and a local supply chain.

Before joining Kongsberg Defence Australia, John worked in Business Development for Raytheon Australia, Fujitsu Australia and Booz Allen Hamilton. This followed a 13 year career in the Australian Defence Force as an Officer in the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery which included stints in Capability Development Group and the (then) Defence Materiel Organisation.

John is a graduate of both the Cranfield University, having attained a Master of Science (Guided Weapon Systems), and the University of New South Wales where he attained a Master of Management Studies (Project Management) and a Bachelor of Science (Honours Class 1). He was also a qualified Missile Weapons Inspector with the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission. John is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

CDRE Brad Smith
Director General Major Surface Ships

CDRE Brad Smith

Commodore Brad Smith joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1997 completing his Bachelor of Engineering degree at the University of NSW in 1999. He has completed various sea postings including Guided Missile Frigates (FFG), ANZAC Class Frigates (FFH), Auxiliary Replenishment and Landing Platform Amphibious ships.

Shore postings include Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving System Program Office (MCDSPO), Guided Missile Frigate SPO (FFGSPO), Squadron Officer Commanding at the Australian Defence Force Academy, and the Amphibious Combat and Sealift SPO (ACSSPO). In 2014 Commodore Smith also deployed to the Middle East in 2014 within Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 as the J1 (Personnel Operations). For his role in the planning and execution of Operation OKRA, HAWICK, and other activities, he was awarded a Chief of Defence Force Gold Commendation.

Commodore Smith served on exchange with the United States Navy in San Diego from 2011-2013 where he was responsible for the planning, development, integration and execution of major modernisation projects for Pacific Fleet ships. Highlights included the first installation of AEGIS Baseline 9 combat system for a USN platform, and selected by the USN to lead the re-design and modification of the USS Makin Island (LHD-8). For his role in these activities he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Commodore Smith is a graduate of the Australian Technical Staff Officer Course (ATSOC) and a fellow of the Australian War College. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (honours), A Masters of Management (Acquisition and Capability Development), and a Masters of Business, Masters of Defence Strategic Studies. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and for his service in the Amphibious Combat and Sealift organisation, he was recognised with a Conspicuous Service Cross.

Promoted to Commodore in December 2020, Commodore Smith was appointed to his current role as the Director General Major Surface Ships. Married to Kirsten with three children, he enjoys soccer, climbing, canyoning and chasing his children down the ski slopes.

CEO Newcastle Airport and Astra Aerolab

Dr Peter Cock

Peter is an experienced CEO with a record of driving change to deliver results. As CEO of the Newcastle Airport group, including the Astra Aerolab development, Peter is leading a team of senior executives to deliver long-term benefits to the Hunter, Central Coast and Northern NSW regions. Peter is passionate about growing the airport our region deserves, and the role the broader airport and Astra business plays in our region’s economic evolution - achieved through enabling large, sustainable benefits across inbound tourism, defence and other technology-based industries at the Astra Aerolab precinct and new freight-related industries.

With a $250m whole of precinct upgrade underway and a $200m property pipeline, Newcastle Airport is on track to be international-ready in 2025. The development-ready Astra Aerolab and airport program of works provides a once in a generation opportunity for regional NSW, both creating jobs and stimulating local economic growth.

susanne multerer hanwha
Head Industrial Development, Hanwha Defense Australia

Susanne Multerer

Susanne’s field of expertise is Complex and Strategic Bid and Capture/Campaign Management alongside Business Development in the Defence and Commercial sector.

Throughout her career Susanne has worked for large multinational technology businesses in several countries around the world and with a range of culturally diverse teams. This work has mostly been customer facing in the development of sophisticated and compelling offers ranging from approximately $20 million up to $1 billion. The last eight years in Australia have seen her to continue with both international and Australian defence programs and opportunities.

Susanne joined Thales Air Traffic Management (ATM) as a Bid Manager in 2015 and transferred to Vehicles & Tactical Systems (VTS) in late 2017 as Bid Manager and Capture Lead. She has been responsible for all Singaporean tenders in ATM and has led several major opportunities across VTS and Optronics as a Senior Bid Manager. Susanne also led international campaign activities for opportunities in the protected vehicle part of
the business. In 2022, Susanne was promoted to Director Bids VTS as part of the VTS Leadership Team.

In May 2023 Susanne joined Hanwha Defence Australia as the Industrial Development Unit Manager. She is leading the development and execution of industry engagement and development activities for the program-level Australian Industry Capability (AIC) strategies and plans and supports Global Supply Chain (GSC) program initiatives and opportunities. Susanne is responsible for facilitating effective relationships across Industry, including academia and research institutes both in Australia and overseas.

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Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia

Warren McDonald

Retired Air Marshal Warren McDonald AO, CSC, was appointed Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand in November 2021.

Prior to this appointment Mr. McDonald served 41 years in the Australian Defence Force, with his last appointment being the Chief of Joint Capabilities. In 2017, as the inaugural Chief of this Group, Mr. McDonald was made responsible for its formation and development. Joint Capabilities Group now supports Army, Navy and Air Force by providing a wide range of enabling capabilities, such as logistics, education, health and military police. The Group is also responsible for progressing key projects to support cyber, data link, and satellite capabilities.

In 1979 Mr. McDonald began his career in the Royal Australian Air Force as an enlisted technical apprentice. In 1989, he was commissioned and later graduated as a pilot, logging over 5000 hours in the P-3 Orion. His rotational assignments included Squadron, Wing and Group appointments, numerous deployed commands and as the Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Mr. McDonald is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff Course.

Amy List
Managing Director, Boeing Defence Australia

Amy List

Amy List was appointed managing director of Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) in February 2024. In this role, List leads the BDA businesses, capabilities and functions at the organisation’s 13 Australian sites. Her duties include establishing and executing new and existing programs, achieving business objectives, and implementing corporate strategies that position Boeing’s Australian defence activities for continued success.

Prior to her appointment, List was director of Operations where she provided strategic advice to the executive and managed day-to-day operations and administration of the business. From March 2020 to October 2023, she was the director Sustainment Operations where she was responsible for managing the company’s through-life sustainment support and training solutions for military platforms in order to maximise operational readiness while reducing cost of ownership. This included delivering sustainment contracts for Australia’s F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, CH47F Chinooks and F/A-18 A/B Classic Hornets; the C-17 Globemaster III logistics support and maintenance; and the Helicopter Aircrew Training System, as well as for the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s CH-47Fs.

List joined BDA in December 2018, performing a number of leadership positions including director of the Structures and Build capability and director of Wedgetail Programs, where she led all sustainment and training programs for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) fleet of six E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. Prior to Boeing, List spent over nine years at Raytheon in operational and business development roles, including as head of Business Operations for Raytheon Australia, where she was responsible for the successful delivery of all programs across the company’s portfolio, as well as business intelligence and reporting.

List started her professional career as an Aeronautical Engineering Officer in the RAAF. During her tenure, she served in a number of operational roles, before running both acquisition and sustainment programs for the Defence Materiel Organisation. Post-separation from the Australian Defence Force, List ran a consulting business, offering project and risk management services to clients across the defence and mining industries.

List is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical) and a Masters Degree in Project Management. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Director Aerospace, BAE Systems Australia

Andrew Chapman

Andrew began his career in the Royal Australian Air Force as a technician on aircraft avionics and test equipment. He subsequently undertook and completed a degree in
Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology and commenced work as an engineer with Boeing Australia on the F-111 Avionics Update Program. Andrew then joined BAE Systems and was seconded to the United Kingdom to work as part of the design team for the Australian Hawk Lead-In-Fighter aircraft. Upon his return to Australia, Andrew took on various engineering roles, culminating in his appointment as the engineering manager for the Hawk Lead-In-Fighter.

After being awarded BAE Systems’ Australia Engineer of the Year in 2009 and the Manager of the BAE Systems Engineering Team of the Year in 2010, Andrew was appointed as Head of Aerospace Engineering for BAE Systems Australia. In August 2017 he was appointed as F-35 Campaign Manager and he took over as Director to Aircraft Sustainment & Training for BAE Systems at the beginning of 2019, a role he still holds today.

The Aviation Sustainment and Training line of business Andrew leads provides broad
reaching sustainment, manufacturing and training activities focussed on optimised
availability, capability and innovative aviation training and solutions. It currently supports the F-35 for the RAAF and the Asia-Pacific, the Hawk Lead-In-Fighter for the RAAF and Aviation Technical Training for the ADF, from four major Australian locations.

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Premier of New South Wales

The Hon. Chris Minns, MP

Chris Minns is the 47th Premier of New South Wales and the Member for Kogarah.

Chris was born and raised in the St George area. He previously worked in politics, the charity sector and briefly as a retained firefighter while completing his studies.

Chris was elected as the Member for Kogarah in 2015 and became leader of the NSW Labor Party in June 2021, successfully leading the party to Government at the 2023 NSW Election.

Chris has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England and a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University where he won a full scholarship to complete his studies.

brad twynham
Author, Speaker, Business Strategist

Brad Twynham

Brad is not just a leadership speaker; he is known as being the leader of leaders. He has built ground-breaking products that have disrupted the world's largest corporations, has guided C-level executives through business transformation initiatives and collaborated with CEOs and Boards to cultivate adaptable cultures that nurture resilient and innovative people.

Brad's keynote presentations and leadership workshops are transformational and highly interactive. He has developed and speaks on “Radical Leadership,” a term he coined that is recognised globally and is now used by Harvard Business School to describe the mission-critical mandate of today’s modern business leaders.

His recent clients include CEO Institute, Singularity U, Minter Ellison, Rio Tinto, Port Waratah Coal Services, Endeavour Group, ARTC, Pitcher Partners, Mazars, EO Org, and Western Sydney University.

As a keynote speaker, Brad’s special gift lies in his powerful lived experiences, which capture the audience's attention and catalyse change. These stories are drawn from his extensive journey as an award-winning Enterprise Technology Entrepreneur, Corporate Innovator, and proud “First Nations” man.

His high-energy and authentic presence delivers a fast-paced and immersive keynote presentation and a journey that creates a contagious energy that motivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression.

Brad pushes individuals and organisations to rethink what leadership is in today's uncertain and volatile business environment, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the benefits of becoming Radical.

hon dr kevin rudd ac
Australia's Ambassador to the United States

H.E. The Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC

HE the Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC is Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, taking up his posting in Washington in March 2023.

Ambassador Rudd served as Australia’s twenty-sixth Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, then as Minister for Foreign Affairs, before a second term as Prime Minister in 2013. He was Member for Griffith in the Australian Parliament from 1998 to 2013.

Since leaving government, Ambassador Rudd has resided in the United States where he is recognised as a leading analyst of China. In 2015, he became inaugural President of the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. In 2020, he was appointed President and CEO of the Asia Society globally and, in 2022, he founded the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis.In 2019, Ambassador Rudd was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to Indigenous reconciliation, innovative economic initiatives, and major policy reform, and through senior advisory roles with international organisations. Ambassador Rudd holds honorary positions at the Atlantic Council and Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC; the Asia Society, Schwartzman Scholars and Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New York; the Paulson Institute in Chicago; the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po in Paris, France; the Chancellor Helmut Schmidt Foundation in Hamburg, Germany; and Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra. He is founder and co-chair of an Australian charity, the National Apology Foundation, and a trustee of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City.

Ambassador Rudd started his diplomatic career in 1981 with postings to Beijing and Stockholm. In 1988, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Hon Wayne Goss and served him as Premier of Queensland. He was Director-General of the Cabinet Office in Queensland from 1991 to 1995, and Senior China Consultant for KPMG from 1996 to 1998.

Ambassador Rudd graduated with Honours in Asian Studies from the Australian National University and received his PhD from Oxford University in 2022. He also studied at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei.

the hon joel fitzgibbon mp, member for hunter, new south wales.
Former Defence Minister

The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon

First elected to the House of Representatives in 1996, Joel served as Defence Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Rudd Government. He also served as Chief Government Whip in the Gillard Government.

Over the course of his 26 years in the Parliament, Joel held a number of Shadow Ministerial positions including Assistant Treasury, Financial Services, Defence, Mining, Energy, Agriculture, Small Business, Tourism and Regional Australia. He was also the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade.

Joel retired from the House of Representatives in 2022.

graham edwards
Head of Aerospace Systems

AVM Graham Edwards

Bio to be provided shortly

tim owen 01
Hunter Defence Taskforce - Chair

Tim Owen

Tim Owen AM is a 32-year services veteran and former Deputy Commander of the Australian forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a highly regarded defence industry consultant with significant expertise in the Australian Defence Force contracting process and experience working with defence primes.

speaker michael shoebridge 4.3
Strategic Analysis Australia

Michael Shoebridge

Michael is Director of Strategic Analysis Australia. From 2018 until September 2022, he was the Director of the Defence, Strategy and National Security Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra.

Before the think tank world, Michael was a deputy in two Australian intelligence agencies – the Australian Signals Directorate and the Defence Intelligence Organisation.

He has worked in two Australian Federal Government ministers’ offices. As the First Assistant Secretary for Strategic Policy in Defence, he led the team that wrote Australia’s 2013 Defence White Paper and also administered defence exports policy and legislation. In his first Senior Executive Service role he led the tender evaluation, selection and contract negotiations for the Australian Navy’s Armidale Class Patrol Boats. His last role in the Defence organisation was as the head of the Contestability Division that provides objective analysis of the overall $270 billion investment program.

Michael was Australia’s senior defence policy official in the Australian Embassy in Washington from February 2005 to June 2007. He was seconded to the UK Ministry of Defence in 1999-2000. He has also served in the Senior Executive Service in both Australia’s Finance Department and the Prime Minister’s Department, where he was head of the Defence, Intelligence and Research Division.

day two - thursday 22 august

Meet the leaders who will be joining #HDC2024 on Day Two.

Industry Growth Program Adviser

Daniel Gronowski

An experienced innovation and strategic leader, Daniel has worked with hundreds of business leaders and investors to assess opportunities, develop strategies, leverage new technologies and take ventures to market. His experience at the intersection of cutting edge science and business gives him a unique perspective on opportunities, ask the right questions and find novel solutions to challenges. Daniel is passionate about helping businesses and society navigate the accelerating pace of technology driven disruption and change and truly believes in a future driven by innovative technologies and ideas. He currently applies his experience as a private consultant and as one of 20 contracted advisors for the Australian Govt's $392m Industry Growth Program.

Having worked with over 250 SME's and startups to develop technology innovation strategies and assessed/commercialised many more ideas, Danial understand how to develop strategies in highly uncertain contexts. His work has crossed many industries from ITC to Aerospace, he have developed and advised on spin out opportunities, licence deals, venture capital investments, partnerships and managed internal businesses.

Daniel has previously consulted for the Federal Government's Entrepreneurs Program helping Australian SME's develop innovation strategies to implement the latest technologies. He also have interests in venture capital, start-ups, corporate innovation and am co-founder for a startup helping landlords of industrial properties to invest in solar energy. He is an active mentor for both startups and AGSM/UNSW students, a Venture advisor for Antler and Mentor with Techstars Tech Central Sydney.

Prof. Hussein Abbass

Professor Abbass is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence (IEEE-TAI), an IEEE Computational Intelligence Distinguished Lecturer (2022-2024), and a Full Professor at UNSW Canberra.

Prof. Abbass is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (FIEEE)Australian Computer Society (FACS), UK Operational Research Society (FORS), and the Institute of Managers and Leaders (FIML). He is also a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Prof. Abbass is fascinated with trusted autonomy: a field that looks at designing safe and trustworthy interaction spaces between humans and smart (Artificial-Intelligence-based) machines. His particular interest is focusing on human-swarm interaction. He focuses on designing artificial and computational intelligence algorithms for the autonomy of swarm (distributed AI) systems made of UAVs, UGVs, and software swarm, and the analytics across the interaction space between the human and the swarm. More recently, Prof. Abbass working on quantum-bridges and their applications to AI and swarm systems.

Professor Hussein Abbass
MC, Facilitator and Internationally Published Journalist

Kate Banville

Kate is a professional emcee and journalist with extensive experience across radio, broadcast and print. She has award-winning and internationally published reports with a focus on covering areas of national security, defence, agriculture and rural affairs.

Kate came to journalism after 7 years serving in the Australian Army where she held predominately deployment management administration positions which saw her regularly deal with policy, member entitlements and the delivery of various briefings to defence members.

Kate is a strong communicator who uses her professional skills to translate and report information in a way broader society can easily understand.

Kate Banville
Co-Founder Salus Ventures

Dan Bennett

Dan is a founder, investor and trusted partner, who loves going above and beyond to support those around him to achieve success.

Dan co-founded Salus Ventures to help make a difference in the Australian critical technology scene. He is Managing Partner for OurCrowd, one of the most active global venture investors, having established its Australian office almost 10 years ago. He also founded Safewill, an Australian leader in the legal tech space.

With over 12 years' experience in VC and deep tech, Dan has unparalleled networks in Australia, UK and Israel, where he has lived and which extends to the US and Asia. Dan has always enjoyed identifying incredible founders, solving real problems and providing founders deep support. He has invested in dozens of predominantly Pre-seed to Series A start-ups including Advance Navigation, Instaclustr, Propeller and Hailo.

Prior to this, Dan spent over 10 years in banking and law with Infigen, Minter Ellison and Allens.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales, and is a non-executive director on several unlisted companies and not for profits.

Dan Bennett
Vice President, Programs and Engineering Australia

Andrew Glynn

Andrew is currently serving as Vice President, Engineering & Programs at Anduril Australia. In this role, he is responsible for leading Anduril engineering capability in Australia and delivery of major development programs including the Ghost Shark Extra Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and a range of Australian industry partners. 

Andrew has over 20 years of experience leading major product development programs across both commercial and defence environments to deliver ‘first of type’ capabilities in autonomous systems, robotics and advanced manufacturing. 

Prior to joining Anduril, he held the role of Program Director for the MQ-28A ‘Loyal Wingman’ where he was responsible for leading the design and development of the first military aircraft to be designed and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force. 

Andrew holds degrees in Engineering (Mechanical) and Science from The University of Melbourne, a Master of Science from École Nationale Supérieure de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO) and a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School.

Andrew Glynn
Chief Executive, NuPress

Craig McWilliam

Craig McWilliam is an owner and director at the Nupress Group, a precision manufacturing company with facilities in Cardiff Australia and Toronto Canada. Nupress specialise in Precision machined component and assemblies with a particular focus on Hard materials. As part of the Nupress Team for more than 15 years, Craig has extensive experience in the manufacturing sector within Australia.

Craig has been a director of several organisations since the mid-nineties, with particular focus on strategic segment development and export strategies. He has lived in Both USA and Canada whilst developing successful operations for his respective organisations.

craig mcwiliam
GM Defence, Birdon

Joe Smith

Joe Smith is a results driven executive with a broad and diverse range of experience gained over 25 years working on complex contracts in the Defence, Resources and Financial sectors.

Joe currently serves as the General Manager Defence and is well known for developing high performing teams by energising, developing and empowering people whilst fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, and innovation.

Joe has a broad range of experience in all facets of strategy, operations, HR/ER, organisational development, WHS practices, recruitment and people leadership.

With extensive experience across the conception, formation, and operation of new contracts, business divisions, joint ventures, and alliances, including as a board member, Joe brings a wealth of strategic and operational experience to his role at Birdon.

Before joining Birdon, Joe was the General Manager of Naval Ship Management (NSM) based in Henderson WA, where he led all facets of the business to partner with the Commonwealth in the sustainment of the Anzac Class, the LHDs and their associated Landing Craft. During his time as NSM, Joe was at the forefront for over a decade of sustainment reform helping to realise improved availability, reliability and capability for his clients. These contributions were recognised across multiple awards, including categories in the prestigious Essington-Lewis awards and the inaugural Naval Business of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards.

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Managing Director, Bale Defence

Link Bale

Link Bale
Executive Manager Hunter & Central Coast, CBA

Paul Cragg

Paul has extensive experience in business banking, financial management and leading teams.

Paul is the Executive Manager of CBA Hunter & Central Coast Business Banking. In this role, Paul leads a team of 54 staff, satisfying banking requirements from SME to corporate size businesses across extensive industries including defence.

Paul is passionate about the community and has represented on a number of key business and civic causes in the Newcastle and Hunter region. Another attribute that Paul holds firmly is his commitment to developing and supporting the wellbeing of his team, evident by the supportive and collaborative team cultures he has built and nurtured over the years.

Starting as a banking graduate, over his 30 year career, Paul has held relationship management roles covering agricultural lending, business banking and corporate banking. Paul took his first People Leadership role in 2004 and has been leading business banking teams since then.

Defence Industry Adviser, ODIS

Allan Aaron

Allan has had over 35 years’ experience in technology and business as an entrepreneur, venture capital investor, management consultant and engineer. He spent nearly a decade in management consulting, with large international consulting firms including McKinsey and Co. He later co-founded Technology Venture Partners (TVP) a $240 million VC fund which invested in 26 early-stage tech companies who subsequently raised more than $700 million in equity and grants with three $1bn exits. He started a fast-growing energy services company and spent 5 years as an Advisor to a Federal grants program, working to secure grants of up to $1m each for 28 technology-based businesses.

He is currently a Defence Industry Advisor for the Department of Defence, a General Partner with an Australian Early Stage Venture Capital Partnership and a board director and chairman of several technology-based companies. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace); a Master of Engineering (Electrical - Sustainable and Renewable Energy); an MBA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

allan edited
Head of Aerospace Systems

AVM Graham Edwards

Bio to be provided shortly

graham edwards
Minister for Defence Industry

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

The Hon. Pat Conroy MP is the Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for International Development and the Pacific and the Federal Member for Shortland.

Pat was elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for Charlton, New South Wales in 2013 and, following an electoral redistribution, as the Member for Shortland, New South Wales in 2016 and again in 2019 and 2022.

From 2016 to 2019, Pat was Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure. In 2019, he was appointed Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Shadow Minister Assisting for Defence and Shadow Minister Assisting for Climate Change and Energy.

From 2008 to 2013, he was Principal Policy Adviser and then Deputy Chief of Staff to the Hon. Greg Combet, AM, MP, who served as a Minister in the Rudd and Gillard Labor Governments. In these roles, Pat worked in developing significant policies in areas including Defence Materiel, Defence Science and Industry and Innovation.

pat conroy
Hunter Defence Taskforce - Chair

Tim Owen

Tim Owen AM is a 32-year services veteran and former Deputy Commander of the Australian forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a highly regarded defence industry consultant with significant expertise in the Australian Defence Force contracting process and experience working with defence primes.

tim owen 01

Speaker Information

If you are speaking at the 2024 Conference, please review the information on the right in relation to your involvement and ensure you have completed the Speaker Confirmation Form below. If you have any questions about your speaking spot, please contact Tim Owen or Bret Barton in the first instance. 

key information

PRESENTATION / TECH
  • Please upload your presentation via the form below by Wednesday August 14
  • File format: PowerPoint (widescreen 16:9). Video files should be embedded in the presentation but also provided as a separate file in case of any issues 
  • Please ensure you plan your presentation and slides according to your allocated time. Clicker, lectern, and microphone provided. The microphone will be on when you arrive at the lectern 
  • The Emcee will use an edited version of your bio to introduce you  
  • A welcome to country will be provided at the commencement of the Conference. 
  • Please sign in at the registration desk upon arrival 
  • If you are not attending the full Conference/unable to attend registration, please arrive at least 1 hour prior to your speaking session and present to the registration desk 
  • Please contact Merran Wiggins if you have any questions about your attendance whilst at the event: 

    Merran Wiggins,

    Events Manager
    0414 599 636 

A reminder that travel and accommodation arrangements and expenses are the responsibility of individual speakers unless prior arrangements have been made.

Speaker Content

Speaker
Confirmation Form

Please complete the form on your right to confirm your involvement in HDC2024.

Please complete the Speaker Confirmation Form before:

AUGUST 2, 2024

If you are providing updated details – including submitting your presentation at a later date – please use the “Speaker Content Update Form” accessed via the button above.

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