CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

Chief Executive Officer with an outstanding track record of commercial success in the aerospace industry and aerospace insurance and an exceptional national and international reputation in this sector. Have created a new aerospace division within a major insurer, managed the commercial operations of a major project to create a world-first commercial service in the aerospace sector, developed and implemented strategies to grow businesses, penetrate international markets, obtain funding from private sector investors and governments and have been instrumental in furthering the aerospace industry in Australia. With advanced negotiation and influencing skills and the ability to forge and sustain strong relationships to engender trust and confidence have played a pivotal role in securing and progressing numerous opportunities to achieve outstanding outcomes under challenging circumstances. Founder and Chairman for 16 years of the Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce. Global Chairman of the National Space Society succeeding Apollo XI  astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE

SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Industry Thought Leader: Instigated the creation of the Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce and served as its Founding Chairman for 16 years. Included interacting with numerous Federal and State Government agencies in fostering industry growth and working with Government agencies to secure essential regulatory frameworks and support. Global Chairman of the National Space Society succeeding Apollo XI astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Global Business Builder: Transformed a $2m per year line of business at GIO Australia into a $175m a year business. Oversaw the establishment of this business as a separate division and built it into one of the top ten businesses of its type globally.

Complex Project Management: Led the commercial operations of a several hundred million dollar project to develop major infrastructure and create a world first commercial service at the Asia Pacific Space Centre. Led the preparation of an Information Memorandum to raise $300m and worked with international financiers and brokers to secure strategic partners and investors. Led the risk management program and regulatory compliance for the entire project from technology and export controls to environmental and treaty compliance.

Strategy Development: As Managing Director of Asia Pacific Aerospace Consultants have worked with clients from the US, Asia and Europe to develop strategies for international business growth, market penetration, partner identification, business structuring, feasibility studies and securing financial support. Successfully assisted a Canadian business secure government funding and establish operations in Australia.

EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Managing Director

AsiaPacific Aerospace Consultants                      since April 2002

Background

The firm advises the aerospace industry globally focusing on finance, insurance, risk management, commercial satellite operations, market analysis, business plan development, project management and launch services. Recent projects have included a satellite launch market analysis, a feasibility study for an Australian spaceport, satellite valuation and an evaluation of the regional applications for a new satellite based service. As Managing Director, worked as Principal Consultant on the firm’s major projects and managed all facets of the business to optimise its commercial success and reputation.

Major Contributions

• The firm has become acknowledged as the foremost management consultancy on commercial space matters in Australia and a leader in the Asia Pacific region. Since taking over the business, $2.5m in professional fees have been generated and the firm was engaged by the Federal Government in 2010 to lead a strategic analysis of the Australian Space Industry as key input to the Government’s new national space policy.
• The firm’s success has been based on its understanding of the interplay of issues that underpin commercial and civil space activities and its ability to manage the issues associated with financing, insurance, regulations, environmental management, technology transfer and for its ability to access technical skills, forge and manage alliances between private enterprise, researchers and government and build partnerships.
• Contracted as Senior Vice President of Risk Management for UK-based Orbital Recovery to formulate strategies to manage business, technical and program schedule risks and commercialise a simplified spacecraft with unique capabilities to extend the life of commercial satellites. Involved in all aspects of business planning, fund raising and business development and complex contractual negotiations with customers.
• Provided business, industry, commercial and market expertise and navigated the legal, technical and risk related intricacies of the space industry. Instigated an insurance program to manage the primary technical and program risks and played a pivotal role in securing funds from several second tier European aerospace companies and the European Space Agency. Secured the main first customer and played a key part in extensive contract negotiations with the customer and partners from its major law firm.
• Conducted a feasibility study for US-based Space Adventures into the establishment of a sub-orbital tourism business in Australia incorporating regulatory and environmental issues, site selection, and potential partners, securing government assistance, market assessment, business model development and the formulation and costing of development plans.
• Formulated a multi-year plan for a listed Canadian-based component and sub-system manufacturer seeking to establish operations in Australia to produce low cost satellites and delivery services. Included strategies to evaluate market opportunities, identify joint venture partners, identify and facilitate State and Federal Government assistance and leverage the local pool of specialist talent.
• As the company was diversifying into a new line of business with different potential customers which required a new way of conducting business, evaluated potential users for their proposed service and the market potential, formulated market trial concepts, secured potential customers for trials, identified potential funding sources in Australia and local partners and suppliers.
• The company is proceeding with plans to deploy a constellation of small satellites in 2012 and has received funding under the 3^rd Round of the Australian Space Research Program.

Director of Commercial Operations

AsiaPacific Space Centre                  February 2000 – March 2002

Background

The Asia Pacific Space Centre was a venture to establish an Australian-based satellite launch service using existing Russian satellite launch vehicle technology. Included establishing multi-million dollar satellite launch facility infrastructure on Christmas Island; involved complex regulatory and international factors given the sensitive nature of the Russian technology and environmental issues concerning the development site.

Played a pivotal role in all commercial aspects of the business and project development efforts which included responsibility for all aspects of the commercial operations of a launch service and launch facility. A key task was leading the preparation of an Information Memorandum to obtain $3o0m for the project. Also undertook the risk management for the venture which included managing the insurance requirements for the business and its launch customers and organising technical briefings for all major space insurance underwriters.

Major Contributions

• Prepared the Information Memorandum needed to raise $300m. Identified major aerospace firms, civil construction companies, major satellite operators and Korean-based industrial groups as partners and investors and worked with a major merchant bank to sell the business opportunity to prospects.
• Educated potential partners and investors about the business opportunities and commercial opportunities within the satellite lunch sector, securing a $100m grant from the Federal Government which engendered the confidence of commercial enterprises and addressed the sensitivities associated with using technology that has dual military and civil uses and is limited by international treaties by developing proposals that satisfied the Australian, Russian and US Governments.
• Developed and managed the business development and risk management plans for the establishment of the satellite launch facility and envisaged launch service business. Undertook an international road show of technical briefings for space insurance underwriters intended to lower insurance costs for the project.

By devising innovative approaches to address some of the perceived risks, secured letters of intent with customers even though the launch facility had not been constructed and the launch vehicle had not been developed.

• Designed a concept for a company-owned insurance business unit to support the primary satellite launch service business and underwrite other insurance risks to spread the risk at reduced premiums.

Managing Director

GIO Space                          September 1998 – November 1999

Background

GIO Space provided space insurance underwriting services insuring the technical and program risks associated with satellite launch and operations and became one of the ten largest space insurance underwriting businesses globally.

Appointed to establish this business as a stand alone entity within the GIO Australia Group; having developed the business from a $2m a year business to a $175m a year operation. Fully accountable for all aspects of the business which included managing a technical underwriting team, business development, claims management, legal requirements, human resources management, shareholder liaison and actuarial analysis.

Major Contributions

• Established GIO Space as one of the top ten space insurers globally with a revenue base of $175m by proactively forging relationships with all space insurance brokers world-wide, developing an innovative product suite, establishing an Asia Pacific syndicate of companies providing insurance underwriting capacity and forming relationships with several emerging space industry companies.
• Established GIO Space as a separate business unit which included meeting prudential requirements, interfacing backroom functions with other GIO divisions and developing the business plan.
• After building the business into a substantial and profitable contributor to the Group, convinced senior management and the Board that it needed to be treated as a separate entity with different ways of conducting business.
• Overcame the reluctance of senior management to believe that a team of 15 could generate as much revenue and profit as some divisions with hundreds of staff and the internal resistance to relinquishing control. Resolved the practical issues related to government prudential standards and identified efficient means to share back room functions and systems.

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BOARD APPOINTMENTS & MEMBERSHIPS

Chairman, National Space Society (Washington DC)

Chairman, National Space Society of Australia

Nominator & Judge, World Technology Awards - 'Space' Category

Immediate Past Chairman (and Founder), Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce

Member, Board of Directors, Space Literacy Foundation (Florida)

Member, Board of Trustees, Aqua Terra Foundation (Florida)

Senior Associate, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics

Foundation Member, World Technology Network

Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Law

Commercial Law

Universityof NSW, 1986

Bachelor of Commerce

Accounting & Financial Management

Universityof NSW, 1986

REFEREES

Rob Johnson

Director

Robis Consulting

Former Chief Underwriter, GIO Reinsurance

David Holmes

Retired

Former Partner and Director

Ernst & Young

Jim Longley

Executive Vice President

Commonwealth Bank

Former NSW Government Minister

Contact Details Available On Request