NIOA restructures

Arms manufacturer NIOA has restructured its executive team and appointed an advisory board to be headed by former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne. It follows its acquisition of US rifle manufacturer Barrett.

Ben James has been promoted to chief executive of NIOA for Australia and New Zealand. Nigel Everingham will be group chief operating officer. Jackson Nioa becomes group chief financial officer and Lee Goddard would continue as CEO of the Australian Missile Corporation.

Sam Shallenberger will be CEO of Barrett and Bryan James the new president.

Pyne’s advisory board will consist of former federal MPs Ellen Lord and David Feeney. Victoria Cross holder Mark Donaldson is also on the board with retired US Army brigadier general Alfred Abramson and former chief of the aerospace division of the Defence Science and Technology Group Ken Anderson. Chief executive of PwC Australia Tom Seymour is also on the board.

Mather’s board adviser

Nick Mather’s Armour Energy has appointed Bill Ovenden as a board adviser.

Ovenden has 38 years of experience in the oil and gas sector having worked for Santos until last year. He has also worked for ExxonMobil, Sun Oil and Ampolex.

Mather said Ovenden’s experience would be invaluable.

Canadian picked by AMA

Smash repair group AMA Group has appointed Talbot Babineau as an independent, non-executive director.

Babineau is currently the chief executive officer of Canadian investment firm IBV Capital, which has a small shareholding in AMA.

AMA chair Anthony Day said Babineau would bring diversity of thinking to the board.

Noon gets Stanwell seat

Adrian Noon has been appointed to the board of the Government owned generator company Stanwell.

Noon has previously held roles as executive director in the Queensland Government Office of Government Owned Corporations, director of fiscal policy in Queensland Treasury, special advisor in the Office of the Queensland Treasurer and Deputy Premier, deputy chief of staff in the Office of the Premier, and chief of staff in ministerial offices. Noon has run his own economic advisory business for more than 10 years focusing on economic regulation, policy advisory, commercial analysis and strategy, and project analysis.

PPK appoints commercial director

Commercialisation company PPK has hired Lieuwke de Jong as commercial director as it seeks to provide focus on securing new revenue generating opportunities.

De Jong has experience in medical and coating companies where the use of nano materials is being evaluated.

He would be responsible for business development and revenue growth with a focus on graphene.

Flight Centre gets new supply boss

Flight Centre Travel Group has appointed Greg Parker to succeed Melanie Waters-Ryan as chief executive of the global supply division.

Parker is currently managing director of global supply partnerships and Waters-Ryan has said she would be retiring in 2024.

Parker will report to Flight Centre chief executive Graham “Skroo” Turner and will be a member of the global leadership team.

Property Council appoints Zorbas

The Property Council of Australia has announced the appointment of Michael Zorbas as chief executive.

Zorbas has been working as the council’s group executive of policy and advocacy.

He takes over from Ken Morrison who resigned last year after eight years with as the council chief executive.

Opera Qld picks McOmish

Opera Queensland has appointed Kylie McOmish as its director of learning, regional and community.

OQ said McOmish had 20 years of experience in Australia and overseas leading high profile events and productions.

She was recently vice president of production and operations for events and entertainment at the Expo2020 in Dubai.

Bank’s new director

Auswide Bank has appointed Cameron Mitchell as a non executive director.

The appointment followed the retirement of Barry Dangerfield.

Michell will join the audit, risk and remuneration committees.

Mitchell has 25 years of experience in banking and finance and is currently the executive chair of a foreign exchange business, FX.

For publication in this column please send information to [email protected]