The Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN), Australia’s largest national defence advocacy group representing small business, has appointed Brent Clark as their new CEO.

Brent joins the organisation after a multi-decade career in defence and defence industry. He is a former submariner and has held a number of senior roles within Defence Industry.

“AIDN is thrilled to have Brent on board to help us develop as Australia’s voice for defence industry,” AIDN National chair, Lester Sutton said.

“Defence policy is an Australia wide concern and that obviously requires a strong voice in Canberra, which Brent will provide,” Mr Sutton said.

“The COVID-19 crisis has shown defence industry’s importance to the Australian economy, and that importance will only grow as the future submarine, future frigate and other significant defence programs ramp up,” Mr Sutton said.

“Our job at AIDN is to advocate as strongly as we can for our members to make sure they benefit as much as possible from the Federal Government’s defence spend to maximise sovereign capability.

“Beyond the benefits for AIDN members, ensuring a maximum level of sovereign capability is the right thing to do for our national security and the economy,” Mr Sutton said.

Brent Clark will continue in his role as CEO of Industry Voice, a complementary defence industry body that has taken a lead role in the debate around Australian Industry Capability (AIC) - particularly sovereign capability.

Industry Voice has joined AIDN as an Associate Member and signed onto the MOU to form a single national organisation representing small business in the sector.

“I congratulate Brent Clark on his appointment, and I look forward to working in collaboration with AIDN to jointly further the cause for Australian small businesses,” Industry Voice Chairman, William Hutchinson said.

AIDN National Newseltter 1st Q 2020.pdf

AIDN National hosted their Annual Dinner at the QT in Canberra on the 19th of February 2020.  The event with more than 300 attendees from Defence and Industry enjoyed a great evening of Networking and celebrating 25 years of AIDN.

 

The evening was coordinated by MC Graham Priestnall, and included presentations from Platinum Sponsor Lockheed Martin, Deputy Country Executive – Scott Thompson,  AIDN SME Success Story Products for Industry (PFI) – Nick Green (aka Rocket Man), and Guest speaker Chief of Navy – Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN.  The National Young Achiever Award celebrated 4 young finalists who have all made significant contributions to Defence Industry and have the opportunity to provide plenty more for the future. 

Alexander Bowen-Rotsaert, the Queensland YAA winner from Boeing Defence Australia was presented his award by Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell AO, CSC, and Deputy Secretary, CASG Tony Fraser, AO, CSC. 

AIDN National Invites you to attend a panel discussion “National Suppliers – Are you Defence Ready?” as part of the Pacific 2019 International Maritime Exposition on Tuesday, 8 October 2019 . The panel session will provide SME’s with: 

• Practical guidance on entry points for SME’s into the Defence Industry, whether direct to defence, through Primes or their supply chains.
• Key concepts of opportunity assessment, tender preparation, contract negotiation and transition to deliver and sustainment modes.
• Analysis and insight into unsuccessful tenders. Why it is important to receive and reflect on Prime feedback.

Panellists include: 

Kerryn Smith – CEO AIDN-NT
Dr. Rodger Manning – Managing Consultant, BidWrite
Joseph Cardillo – BAE Major Contracts Manager SEA 5000 
Michelle Richard - Thales Procurement Director

See the AIDN National LinkedIn page for further details.

The International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM) and AIDN have signed a MOU outlining their commitment to jointly

• Promote a connected and skilled Australian defence sector
• Conduct thought leadership in the areas of project leadership and the development of a skilled workforce
• Advocate the importance of a skilled workforce to government
• Build industry capacity in project leadership

The ICCPM support complex project delivery and strive to equip project professionals and organisations across all industry and government sectors with the specialised skills, knowledge and ability to effectively deal with complexity in project environments.

The International Roundtable Series is a biennial thought leadership activity conducted by the International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM) to keep companies at the forefront of complex project management and improve project success. 

The 2018 report Project Leadership: The Game Changer in Large Scale Complex Projects, was launched in Canberra on the 13 June with a follow up event in Sydney with our series partner, The John Grill Centre for Project Leadership.

The report is available in hard copy from ICCPM and can be downloaded free for a limited time from the ICCPM website (https://iccpm.com/project-leadership/) 

ICCPM was established by the Australian Government to build organisational capability in the leadership of complex projects.