Bob has built a successful career in the defence and technology sectors in local and international roles with a track record of delivering exceptional program management, business development, commercial and strategic customer relationship management outcomes.

Bob joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1984, completing his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree. His Navy career included various operational, support, and program management roles before retiring in January 2005 to begin a career in private enterprise. Bob’s final role in uniform was in Washington DC to lead the US Navy/RAN Cooperative Development Program for the joint R&D and productionisation of the next-generation submarine heavyweight torpedo, establishing a successful program that continues to this day.

Bob’s post-Navy career includes experience in Chief Operations Officer, General Manager and listed company CEO roles in the technology sector. Bob moved back into the Defence sector in 2019, working with several companies with a focus on the delivery of critical capability enablers to the men and women in uniform who help protect our national interests. Bob’s most recent role prior to taking on the Acacia Systems CEO role in July 2024 was leading the strategy for and implementation of the Combat Systems Integration Collaboration Agreement between the Commonwealth, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin Australia and Saab Australia.

As CEO of Acacia, Bob leads a company strategy focussed on the pre-eminence of serving the warfighter in delivering important sovereign capability to Australia and our allies, underpinned by a commitment a truly agile, responsive engagement model designed to deliver superior capability, more quickly, and for better value for money for our customers.

Bob is happily married to Trish, his wife of 28 years; together they enjoy the journey of helping three amazing children move into adulthood and their own successful careers. Bob’s singular passion other than his family is golf, where he was smart enough in the past few years to invite Trish to share that passion, and humble enough to admit that she is the better golfer!