Austal has announced the appointment of Ian McMillan to the position of Chief Operating Officer of Austal Australia, effective January 2021, following the transition by Patrick Gregg to Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in the new year.
The move will see McMillan take charge of the company’s Australian, Philippines and Vietnam shipbuilding and sustainment operations, in addition to representing Austal’s interests in the Aulong commercial shipbuilding joint-venture in China.
Prior to joining Austal, McMillan held several senior executive roles in BAE Systems Australia, including Director of Shipbuilding and General Manager, Shipyards Western Australia.
In his most recent role as Director, Maritime Sustainment, he was responsible for leading the company’s national sustainment business comprising more than 1,000 employees across 5 locations around Australia, supporting multiple vessel classes for the Royal Australian Navy.
In making the announcement, Austal CEO David Singleton and CEO-Designate Patrick Gregg said Mr McMillan’s extensive experience in the Australian and international defence industries, particularly in naval shipbuilding and sustainment, will add “great value to Austal’s Australasian operations”.
“I am very much looking forward to working with Ian to further develop Austal’s Australasian operations and maximise the opportunities ahead – in both defence and commercial shipbuilding and sustainment,” Mr Gregg said.
“Ian’s experience in winning and delivering major defence contracts and operating effective, efficient shipyards and sustainment operations will undoubtedly help us grow our business and achieve even greater returns on our strategic investments throughout the region,” he concluded.
