Media Release
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Palmer to its Board of Directors. Richard brings a depth of expertise that is the perfect complement to the current team’s experience in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, and technology innovation.
Paul Cooper, AMGC Chairman, says, “We are delighted to strengthen AMGC’s Board with the diversity and financial expertise that Richard brings to support and develop Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector.
“Richard joins myself, Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk,Dr Jens Goennemann, and Company Secretary Sarah Boase on the Board. As we continue to work to deliver our strategic goals, Richard will provide valuable perspectives to the Board and for our members. We look forward to working with him,” he added.
The Board
Paul Cooper, Chairman
Paul has 25 years’ manufacturing industry experience as owner and Executive Chair of Rinstrum, an industrial electronics manufacturing company. Rinstrum is based in Brisbane and actively exports to global markets with subsidiaries in the United States, Germany, India and Sri Lanka.
Richard Palmer
Richard has more than 25 years’ experience in a variety of board roles and has worked with venture capital funds in New Zealand, Australia and Europe. He has extensive investment management experience in the private equity sector and is the Chairman of business mentoring organisation, The Executive Connection. Richard is a law graduate from Victoria University, New Zealand and has received a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration with distinction from Bristol University, UK.
Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk
Michelle is the Global Manufacturing and Procurement Director at Dyson, and is recognised for her extensive industry experience. She has been a member of the AMGC Board since 2018 and previously held management positions at organisations including Philips Lighting, PepsiCo, Ford Motor Company and Electrolux. Michelle has received a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, a Bachelor of Aviation Science and a Masters’ of Engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Dr Jens Goennemann, CEO
Jens has been Managing Director of AMGC since 2016. He brings extensive experience overseeing large manufacturing operations in Australia and Europe. Jens served as Managing Director of Airbus Group Australia Pacific and Airbus Helicopters. Before his eight-year appointment to Australia, Jens spent six years in Germany with the former European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), today known as Airbus Group.
He was Head of the CEO’s office in Germany, and before that in charge of Soldier and Parafoil Systems within the Defence Division. Previously, Jens spent two years in Athens where he established and managed the Eurofighter Office of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, one of the three founding partner companies of EADS. He began his career with Daimler-Benz AG in January 1996.
Sarah Boase
Sarah Boase is AMGC’s Company Secretary. Sarah joined AMGC in 2016 and oversees all Board activities and company administration. Sarah previously worked for Airbus Group Australia Pacific and held a board position at Safeskies Australia. Sarah is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
