NIOA’s new CEO for Australia and New Zealand, Ben James, has announced his executive team with a commitment to double down on world-class support to the company’s sporting, defence and law enforcement customers.

Mick Ahern CSC, formerly NIOA’s Lethality Program Director, is the new General Manager of Weapons & Munitions, heading up a raft of new appointments which also includes Owen Paulson as General Manager of Operations.

Mr Paulson joins NIOA after an extensive career including global security operations, expansive program management and strategic leadership roles in addition to a key role in support of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority following the devastating floods of 2010-11.

Mick Ahern, who has had a lead role in NIOA’s delivery of Tranche 1 of the LAND159 Program, will take on the position of General Manager, Weapons & Munitions, for the company’s Australia and New Zealand division.

The NIOA Australia and New Zealand leadership team, effective 2 February 2023 is:

Mick Ahern, General Manager, Weapons & Munitions

Brad Johnson, General Manager, Sporting

Fraser Winskill, General Manager, New Zealand

Rudi Bekker, General Manager, Engineering

Owen Paulson, General Manager, Operations

Ferdi Kluever, Director – Bids & Proposals

Shane Huby, General Manager, Commercial

Garth Jones, Chief Financial Officer

Mr James said the appointments underlined the capability within NIOA to deliver excellence as Australasia’s largest privately-owned supplier of munitions to the defence, law enforcement and sporting markets.

“This is a 50-year-old, family-owned business that has been built on foundations of hard work, trust and delivering outstanding results for our customers and partners,” he said.

“The leadership team we have assembled across NIOA Australia and New Zealand possesses the knowledge, capacity and expertise to continue to deliver the world-class service and support for which NIOA is known.

“It will be important that we look for synergies across the NIOA Group to ensure we are best harnessing resources and capacity to serve our domestic and international markets.

“I want to double down on our efforts to deliver world class support to our sporting, defence and law enforcement customers.”

NIOA Australia is the largest supplier of non-guided munitions to the ADF delivering Australia’s future family of 155mm artillery munitions, the medium calibre munitions for the LAND 400 Rheinmetall Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, Australia’s mortar capability as well as select munitions for the Abrams tank and more than 50 other strategic munitions.

The company is delivering the first tranche of the Australian Army’s LAND 159 Lethality System Program to modernise ADF weapon systems.

The Australian operations include management of a significant portion of the Australian Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) munitions manufacturing facility at Benalla in Victoria and delivery of key Defence munitions programs.

NIOA has had a long-standing presence in New Zealand through its support of the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand police, supplying various key weapons systems, tactical equipment and munitions.

In April 2022, the company acquired Auckland-based Sportways Distributors, expanding its operations to bring an enhanced product range to the New Zealand sporting and hunting community.

The appointments follow changes to NIOA’s organisational structure to better align with its growth strategy and geographical expansion.

This included a new group structure encompassing NIOA Australia, NIOA New Zealand, the Australian Missile Corporation, joint venture company Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions and newly acquired Barrett Firearms (USA).

Formalized commitment builds on track record of understanding and flexible employment of former service members and support for charitable activities.

London, February 6, 2022 – Rohde & Schwarz UK has confirmed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), a UK government initiative to support ex-services staff, at a signing held during the company’s recent board meeting in London.

“About 20% of the Rohde & Schwarz UK workforce have formerly served in the armed forces and contribute strongly to our organization’s culture as well as business performance,” Frank Mackel, Vice President Sales Europe at Rohde & Schwarz, said. “Signing the AFC creates a platform for us to extend our engagement in new ways including support for service spouses and partners as well as armed forces charities.”

Lieutenant Commander Russ Haines RN, Relationship Manager (South), a member of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) team at the signing, commented: “Historically, Rohde & Schwarz has demonstrated its’ commitment to fairness for armed forces staff and we are delighted that this is now formalized through the signing of the AFC.”

Fltr: LtCdr Russ Haines of the Royal Navy and Frank Mackel, Vice President Sales Europe at Rohde & Schwarz, signing the AFC. (Image: Rohde & Schwarz)

“Entering civilian employment can be tough for service leavers, despite the outstanding skills and personal qualities they have to offer,” Andrew Gibbs, South East Regional Employer Engagement Director with the MoD Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, added. “We appreciate Rohde & Schwarz’ support for our desire to ease their transition and we look forward to enjoying a productive and enduring connection.”

The AFC is a flexible framework that organizations can customize according to their available resources and the needs of any ex-service staff employed. Rohde & Schwarz’ commitment includes supporting the employment of veterans and recognizing military skills and qualifications in recruitment, as well as supporting the employment of service spouses and partners. There is also support for employees who are members of the reserve forces or engaged with cadet organizations, and for armed forces charities and events such as the Poppy Appeal Day and remembrance activities.

In addition to the terms of the AFC, Rohde & Schwarz supports initiatives, such as the Forces Family Jobs website and the MoD’s Career Transition Partnership.

The company has close links with the armed forces and employs many veterans. Stephen James, who began the initiative to sign the covenant, is a former naval officer and now Secure Communications Business Development Manager at Rohde & Schwarz UK. He concluded by stating: “I would like to thank everyone here and in the MoD organizations who have helped facilitate signing the AFC. As an armed forces reservist, I have received considerable help including granting of time away, when needed, to fulfil my responsibilities.”