Austal has unveiled the latest phase of its management reshuffle with the appointment of Ian McMillan as its new chief operating officer.
He is due to take up the post on 1 January 2021 and will be responsible for Australia, Philippines and Vietnam shipbuilding and sustainment operations.
McMillan, who will be based in Austal’s Henderson facility in western Australia, will also manage Austal’s interests in the Aulong commercial shipbuilding joint-venture in China.
He joins Austal from BAE Systems Australia, where he has held several senior executive roles since 2013, including director of shipbuilding and general manager.
McMillan started his career as an apprentice engineer with Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering in the UK in 1984.
Austal chief executive David Singleton said McMillan’s 36-year depth of experience in the Australian and international defence industries, particularly in naval shipbuilding and sustainment, “will add great value to Austal’s Australasian operations”.
“His 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 added.
McMillan will take over from incumbent Patrick Gregg, who is set to take over as chief executive at the shipbuilder early next year.
Gregg was appointed to the chief operating officer role in 2017, with a view to him being “a natural successor for the CEO role in the future”.
Austal employs about 6,000 people across its network of seven shipyards in Australia, the US, the Philippines, China and Vietnam.
In the Philippines, it has ferries under construction for European owners Fjordline and Mols Linien. It is also building a trimaran for Fred Olsen.
At its Vung Tau complex in Vietnam, Austal is currently completing a ropax ferry for Trinidad and Tobago.
