SA Defence Industry ICT Update

Keynote speaker

The Hon. Stephen Mullighan MP

Treasurer

Minister for Defence and Space Industries

Government of South Australia

Stephen was appointed Minister for Defence and Space Industries in April 2024 and appointed Treasurer in the Labor Government in March 2022. 

Stephen was first elected as the Member for Lee in the South Australian Parliament in 2014. In the same year he was appointed the Minister for Transport & Infrastructure, and in 2016 added the portfolios of Housing and Urban Development.

‍Prior to entering the Parliament, Stephen led Deloitte’s economics team in Adelaide between 2010-2013 providing economic advice to corporate clients, the non-profit sector and state and federal governments.

‍Stephen is a proud western suburb resident, is married to Antonia and they have three children Benjamin, Isaac, and Olivia.

Panellists

Asha Mathew

Director Digital Transformation & Systems

Department of Defence

Ms. Asha Mathew is the Director for Digital Transformation & Systems at the Department of Defence. In her role, Asha leads the Digital Engineering transformation Directorate and is responsible for the delivery of the Defence Digital Engineering Strategy, its implementation and uplift of Defence capability acquisition and sustainment through digital transformation.

Asha holds over 22 years experience and expertise in Engineering Technology and Information Management and has made significant contributions in business transformation across a broad range of industries leveraging the power of digital capabilities delivering services in a secure, timely and cost effective manner.

The core focus of the last 10 years of her career was with Defence acquisition and sustainment programs including Land & Integrated systems, Air domain and Maritime surface fleets. Asha played a lead role in the establishment of business and engineering capabilities for Australian Defence Naval Ship Acquisition program- SEA 5000 establishing the systems landscape that enabled the design and build of sovereign shipbuilding capability for the Royal Australian Navy.

On the academic front, Asha holds bachelors in Electronics & Communication Engineering (Honours) with specialisation in Radar Systems and Digital Signals. Certified professional Associate in Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Computing, Advanced Diploma in Information Management Systems, SADILP and various project and program and change management professional qualifications.

Al Jawhari

Co-Founder and Group CEO

Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group

Al Jawhari is an accomplished serial entrepreneur, innovator, and expert in technology commercialization with over 30 years of experience in building successful businesses, including five profitable exits in sectors such as defence systems, advanced manufacturing, agtech, e-commerce, and software platform development.

With global ventures, Al currently resides on a farm in the Adelaide Hills. He serves as the Co-Founder and Group CEO of Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group, Managing Partner at Applepie Ventures, Executive Chairman of Papyrus Australia PLC (ASX), and Vice President and South Australia Chair of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also holds advisory roles with the Centre for Enterprise Dynamics in Global Economies at the University of South Australia and is a member of the Governor’s Council for Walford Anglican School for Girls.

A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Egyptian Air Force, Al has received the First Class Medal of Military Duty and the SeedForum Global Impact Award in 2019 for his contributions to global entrepreneurship. He is an Adjunct Industry Professor at the University of South Australia and holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, he is a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International and has secured both US and Australian patents in virtual reality, product traceability, anti-counterfeit platforms, and blockchain technology.

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