Australia’s submarine company, ASC, is pleased to welcome the appointment of Mr Jim McDowell to the ASC Board.
Mr McDowell will commence on the Board as the Deputy Chair and will succeed Mr Bruce Carter AO as the Chair of the ASC Board when Mr Carter’s term ends on 31 December 2025.
Mr Carter has been a Director of ASC since 2010 and Chair since 2012, guiding ASC through a period of profound transformation and growth.
Under his leadership, ASC implemented the recommendations of the Coles Review, leading to a dramatic improvement in Collins Class submarine availability and reliability, ultimately exceeding international benchmarks. He also led the company during the construction of the three Air Warfare Destroyers and played a central role in the transition to Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability. His commitment to sovereign capability, innovation, and workforce development has left a lasting legacy at ASC.
Mr McDowell brings more than 40 years of experience working in the defence, aerospace and shipbuilding industries.
Before joining the ASC Board, he served as Deputy Secretary of the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group in the Australian Department of Defence. In this role, Jim was responsible for the acquisition and sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet and Army Watercraft, and the sustainment of the Collins Class submarines.
Prior to his time in Defence, Jim held CEO roles with Nova Systems, Department of the Premier and Cabinet in South Australia and BAE Systems’ operations in Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Jim has held numerous non-executive appointments, including as chair of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the Trusted Autonomous Systems Cooperative Research Centre; a director of Austal, Codan, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and the Adelaide Football Club; and Chancellor of the University of South Australia. He is currently a member of the Adelaide University Transition Council.
ASC Chair Bruce Carter AO welcomed Mr McDowell to the ASC Board.
“It’s a great pleasure to welcome Jim to the ASC Board,” Mr Carter said.
“With Jim’s wealth of defence sector knowledge and proven leadership experience, including most recently overseeing the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet and Collins Class submarines, we’re in an even stronger position to support our people, our partners, and the Navy we proudly serve.”
Mr McDowell’s appointment is effective immediately.
For more information, please contact:
Damon Hunt, Head of Corporate Communications and Media: [email protected]