Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong, today announced the appointment of Mr Bruce Carter as Chair of Australias largest defence submarine and shipbuilding company, ASC Pty Ltd.
Mr Carters extensive experience in the private sector will greatly benefit the Board, bringing a commercial focus to the organisation as it continues to reform and improve, Minister Wong said.
ASC recently entered into a contract with the Defence Materiel Organisation for the maintenance of the Collins Class submarines and is the principal shipbuilder in the Air Warfare Destroyer project and seeks to be the leading designer, builder and maintainer of naval ships and submarines in Australia.
Mr Carter has served as a Director on the ASC Board since January 2010 and has a strong background in the commercial sector and across a range of Government and private sector advisory and governance roles.
These include as Managing Partner of Ferrier Hodgson (Adelaide), Chairman of Olympic Dam Task Force and Renewables SA, Director of Territory Insurance Office, Chair of the SA Economic Development Board and President of the National Heart Foundation.
Mr Carter will commence his three-year term as Chair on 1 October 2012.
Minister Wong also thanked Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO RANR for his chairing of the Board since 2009. Vice Admiral Ritchies term with the ASC Board expires on 30 September 2012.
Under Vice Admiral Ritchies leadership, ASC has undertaken a series of reforms to improve its efficiency and improve submarine availability for the Royal Australian Navy, the Air Warfare Destroyer project has been progressed and ASCs capability to participate in the Future Submarine project has been strengthened.
Vice Admiral Ritchie has made a substantial contribution to the ASC Board as a Director since 2007 and as Chair for the last three years, and I thank him for his service, Minister Wong said.