ORBITAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN WELBORN
BCOM, CA, MAICD
Chairman
John Welborn is an industry leader with extensive experience in the resources sector as a senior executive and in corporate management, finance and investment banking. John is currently Managing Director & CEO of Equatorial Resources Limited and a Non-Executive Director of Apollo Minerals Limited. He was previously the Head of Specialised Lending in Western Australia for Investec Bank. As a Director and Chief Executive, he has been responsible for driving growth in a number of ASX listed companies.
John is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
In addition to his extensive corporate career, Mr Welborn is a former Wallaby Rugby player, Director of Rugby WA Ltd and Commissioner of Tourism in Australia.
STEVE GALLAGHER
BENG (HON) BCOM MAICD
Non-Executive Director
Steve is Principal of Agere Pty Ltd, an advisory and investment company drawing on his capability and professional networks established over 30 years as a CEO and Director of global businesses.
Steve held Director positions with HKEX Hang Seng listed CCRTT, ASX listed ERG Ltd and CEO/GM positions with Vix Technology and global engineering powerhouse Siemens. He has operated in various business sectors including Industrial Automation, Building Technology and Power Systems, having spent 15 years living and working in Asia (China, Hong Kong and Singapore) and Europe (Switzerland).
Steve is currently a Non-Executive Director with Optal Ltd (an innovative global payment solutions company), Vix Technology Ltd (an industry leader in transport ticketing, fare collection/payments), Ventura Bus Lines Pty Ltd (a leading public transport and charter bus service provider in Australia) and Transact1 Pty Ltd (a financial services provider for cash management optimisation).
Steve holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) degree from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in marketing from Monash University, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
KYLE ABBOTT
B.COM (HONS 1ST), CA
Non-Executive Director
Kyle joined the Orbital Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 May 2018.
Kyle is an experienced aerospace and defence industry executive who brings vast relevant experience to the Board of Orbital. Kyle was Managing Director of Western Australian Specialty Alloys (WASA) from 1996 to 2015. During this period, WASA grew from a Western Australian specialised alloy manufacturer to become a major supplier to the global aerospace industry with key customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
In 2000, Kyle managed the successful sale of WASA to United States based Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC), an S&P 500 company. PCC was subsequently acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2015.
GRANT LUKEY
PhD
Non-Executive Director
Grant was appointed to the Orbital Board as a Non-Executive Directo on 1 december 2023.
Dr Lukey is an experienced industry executive with a background in Chemical Engineering. He holds a PhD in minerals processing and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He is currently the CEO and Managing Director of Coogee Chemicals, a board member on Chemistry Australia and the Kwinana Industries Council. He currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Chemical College for Engineers Australia.
ORBITAL MANAGEMENT TEAM
ANDREW MILLS
Interim Chief Executive Officer
GM Operations
Andrew has a bachelor’s degree in applied chemistry and has 25 years’ experience within automotive and aerospace manufacturing. Prior to joining Orbital in 2019 Andrew held senior operational management roles with BAE Systems UK and HELLA New Zealand. Andrew leads our Operations Team, which has successfully established, and now operates, three engine model production lines.
Andrew also overseas product quality and in-service support to our Tier 1 global defence customers. Andrew’s significant technical and operational expertise, combined with his ownership of our AS9100 aerospace disciplines, is the foundation on which Orbital’s reputation of reliability is built.
THOMAS SPENCER
B.Bus, CPA, GAICD
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Thomas was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary in October 2022. He is a senior finance executive with significant experience in structuring private and public organisations for growth and scalability.
A qualified CPA with a Bachelor of Business Accounting & Information Systems from ECU, Thomas has held previous CFO roles at ASX-listed companies, International investment groups in the UK and Canada, as well as senior roles within private equity companies in Australia.
THOMAS HULSON
MEng
Chief Engineer
Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Automotive Engineering with over 15 years’ engine development experience, with roles at JCB Power Systems, Ricardo and Bentley Motors.
Thomas leads our Engineering Team, overseeing engine programs for some of the world’s leading tactical drone companies including clean sheet designs, heavy fuel customisations and existing heavy fuel engine power upgrades. Since joining, Thomas has broadened Orbital’s engine development capabilities through the recruitment of forced induction, hybrid and advanced materials expertise.