Mr McCormack is a highly experienced executive, most notably as Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s largest natural gas infrastructure business, APA Group, for 15 years. During his tenure, APA Group grew from a business with 30 employees and assets of $1.3 billion in 2005 to over 3,000 employees and assets of $24 billion upon his retirement in 2019.

Mr McCormack brings more than 35 years of experience in the infrastructure sector to Austal. At APA Group, he oversaw the development of its unrivalled pipeline grid system and the introduction of world-leading innovative technologies such as bi-directional flows and gas storage flexibility. Prior to joining APA Group in 2000, Mr McCormack served in various management roles at ASX-listed AGL Energy. Austal Chairman John Rothwell said Mr McCormack’s proven track record of innovation and growth would be invaluable in supporting Austal’s long-term strategic direction.

“The Board engaged an external recruitment firm as part of an extensive search process to identify a diverse list of high-calibre candidates that would bring experience in significant business expansion to Austal,” Mr Rothwell said. “With outstanding credentials and a proven track record of successfully implementing long-term growth initiatives, Mick was a clear standout. We are confident he will add significant value to Austal as we undertake the next phase of our growth strategy and on behalf of the Board I am pleased to welcome him to the Company.”

Mr McCormack’s appointment will take effect from 14 September 2020. Mr McCormack is currently a Non-Executive Director at Central Petroleum and a Director at the Clontarf Foundation and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Foundation.

He was previously a Director of Envestra Ltd (now part of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group), the Australian Pipeline Industry Association (now Australian Pipelines and Gas Association), and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Queensland, a Graduate Diploma of Engineering from Monash University, and a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Queensland. This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by the Chairman of Austal Limited, John Rothwell AO.