Defence Leaders Breakfast

About this event

Defence reviews deepen your understanding of how they will impact your business and the Australian defence landscape.

In line with the release of a number of Defence reviews scheduled for release in the early part of 2024, the Defence Teaming Centre is hosting a Defence Leaders Breakfast in Adelaide to discuss the outcomes of these reports and provide attendees with an understanding of the impacts they will mean for defence industry and the emerging opportunities for contracting with Defence.

Our esteemed speakers will bring actionable insights into:

• New Defence landscape and posture – how the new strategies and capabilities are better positioning Australia
• The role Australian defence industry will have in delivering the new capabilities
• Workforce challenges in meeting the new requirements
• With the reviews being released what Approach's are being taken to:
  • The additional three Hunter Class agreed and in contract
  • The majority (8 of the 11) of the General Purpose Frigates built in Australia and maintain system commonality and
  • Progress on the Collins Life of Type Extension
• New policies – what is missing? what does industry need more clarity on?
• Federal Budget - does it align with the Integrated Investment Program?

Whether you have been working in the defence sector for decades or are new, this event is an opportunity to network, expand your knowledge and gain valuable insights into current challenges SMEs in the sector are facing and how to overcome them.

Keynote Speakers:

Grame Dunk - Head of Strategy, Shoal

After specialising in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Graeme has undertaken roles in industry as a business manager, project manager and business developer; with significant experience in Europe, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Pakistan. He has extensive knowledge of Australian defence industry, including having been the Executive Manager of a national defence industry association. Graeme has a PhD in defence industrial sovereignty from the Australian National University, a Master of Defence Studies degree, a Master of Science in defence technology, a Bachelor of Science in pure mathematics, an Insignia Award in Technology from the City and Guilds of London Institute, and a Diploma of Maritime Studies. He is currently Head of Strategy at Shoal Group, is contributing to an ANU research project into the development of Australian strategic policy documents.

Bec Shrimpton - Director - Defence Strategy and National Security, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Bec is Director Defence, Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. She has more than 20 years’ experience in policy, operational and corporate roles in the Australian Department of Defence and in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Previous roles also include Head of Defence, Space and Infrastructure at Austrade, and Bec was Senior Advisor - Major Powers to the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2019-2020. Her defence experience includes a posting as Counsellor Defence Strategic Policy in the Australian Embassy in Washington DC from 2015-2017. She led the MH-17, and the Iraq and Syria Task Forces in International Policy Division in Defence in 2014, and held a range of positions in International and Strategic Policy Divisions, VCDF Group and in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer from 2001.

Jim McDowell - Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment, Department of Defence

Jim has over 30 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors. Jim was appointed to the position of Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment at the Department of Defence in July 2023. Prior to joining Defence, Jim was CEO of Nova Systems for three years, and from 2018 to 2020 was Chief Executive for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in South Australia. Jim has held numerous non-executive appointments including Chair of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and Chancellor of the University of South Australia.

Joining our guest speakers on the Panel:

Professor Colin J Stirling, President and Vice-Chancellor, Flinders University

A distinguished academic leader, Professor Stirling has spearheaded the transformation of Flinders University to become the fastest growing research institution in Australia. Throughout his career, Professor Stirling has been the recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, including the Royal Society Wolfson Research Fellowship, and The University of Manchester Distinguished Achievement Medal for ‘Researcher of the Year’. Under Professor Stirling’s leadership, Flinders University has undergone a profound transformation, marked by groundbreaking initiatives and significant capital investments. Research income at Flinders has more than doubled in just five years while in education, the university is recognised as number one in South Australia’s for student experience.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available, if you are interested please email events@dtc.org.au