Our leadership
Saab Australia has over employees located across Australia.
Our leadership team head specific groups and set the strategic direction of Saab Australia.
Andy Keough CSC, Managing Director
Andy was appointed Managing Director in late 2017. He was previously Chief Executive of Defence SA and held senior management roles in ASC. He served two decades with the Royal Australian Navy which included command of two Collins Class submarines and an exchange with the US Navy Submarine Force in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 2006, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for leadership. Andy has a Bachelor of Science and MBA. He is an Council Member of The University of Adelaide, Chair of the Australian Industry Group (AiG) Defence Council, Board member of the SA Skills Commission and member of the SACE Board.
Madeleine Davis, General Manager Strategy and Transformation
Madeleine joined Saab in 2018 to support the organisation through a period of accelerated growth. She leads Saab Australia’s transformation and business improvement programs and supports the Managing Director with Saab Australia’s expansion strategy. After beginning her career with Westfield and Coles Myer, Madeleine held senior communication and strategy roles for more than a decade in the South Australian Government, with Defence SA and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. An accomplished senior executive, she has experience in highly complex, politically sensitive, customer focused organisations. Her specialties include corporate strategy and planning, communication, stakeholder engagement, transformation and governance. Madeleine holds a Bachelor of Management (Marketing), is a Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation and the University of Adelaide/University of Texas Transformational Leadership program.
Tania Daniell, General Manager Human Resources
Tania is our human resources general manager responsible for the company’s human resourcing strategy, policies, processes and functions. She joined Saab in 2016 at the start of an unprecedented growth period. With the support of her talented team she leads all human resource activities and initiatives to meet the company’s current business and projected growth strategies. Tania is a decisive leader, facilitator and communicator who’s career spans the defence and technology, professional services, financial services and retail sectors. She has well-developed business acumen and been recognised by the Commonwealth Bank as one of their top national relationship management business performers. Tania is an accredited trainer and assessor and completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Charles Darwin University.
Graham Smith, Chief Engineer
Graham is responsible for developing Saab’s Australian engineering capabilities which deliver superior technical outcomes for customers. Before joining Saab in 2018, he’d held senior leadership roles within various technology organisations including Lockheed Martin Australia, BAE Systems Australia and Motorola. Graham’s competence within the defence and commercial technology sectors spans engineering, project, operations and general/business management; and capability development. Over the past three decades he’s supported Australia’s most complex defence technology programs and their respective support phases. Graham holds a Bachelor of Computer and Information Science degree and a Graduate Diploma in Management. He’s a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia; a Chartered Professional Engineer; and past member board director of the RPDE defence-industry-academia organisation.
Ben Gulliver, Chief Operating Officer
Ben is responsible for oversight of program delivery and driving organisational performance across all areas of the business. He also leads mergers and acquisitions; manages major facility projects; and heads our security operations and ICT functions. He is Saab Australia's delegated Managing Director in Andy Keough's absence. Before joining Saab in 2010, Ben enjoyed local and international experience in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture and accounting services industries. He's held management roles within large organisations like BHP, Lend Lease and Elders; and had postings in New Zealand and Singapore. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy, is Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of CPA Australia and a member of the Finance and Audit Committee for the Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation.
Dave Symonds, General Manager Maritime
Dave leads Saab Australia’s maritime group which undertakes research, development, integration, engineering, sustainment and integrated logistics support for Saab Australia’s maritime combat systems business supporting above water naval programs in Australia and internationally. Appointed to the role in 2019 following Operations and Program Management roles within Saab, Dave had established a reputation as a respected leader and achiever; delivering successful naval ship programs and constructively managing international operations. Before joining Saab in 2005, Dave managed R&D programs, change programs and engineering projects with global companies Motorola and Computer Sciences Corporation. He’s made positive contributions and built lasting professional relationships within the large technology organisations where he’s built his career. Dave has worked abroad earlier in his career, relates well with people locally and internationally, and works with stakeholders to resolve issues in any environment. Dave has a Bachelor of electronic engineering, Graduate Diploma (systems analysis) and MBA.
Alexis Junin, General Manager Sales and Government Relations
Sarah McCade, Chief Financial Officer
Sarah is responsible for developing and excecuting the business's financial strategy to support Saab's profitability and growth objectives. She has built a reputation of being a suited leader through holding senior leadership positions for over a decade. Prior to joining Saab, Sarah worked as a Senior Analyst at Deloitte Australia; a well-renowned accounting firm. Starting in 2008, Sarah joined Saab Australia as a Management Accountant and from there she held numerous management roles until being appointed as the Chief Financial Officer in late 2019. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Business (Commercial Law) and a Bachelor of Commerce and is also a member of the Institute of Charted Accountants.
Courtney Morcombe, General Manager Business Services
In managing Saab Australia’s business services, Courtney is responsible for leading the ICT, facilities, security, procurement, quality and safety, and sustainability functions. She joined Saab at a time of significant business growth and is leading a team dedicated to providing quality internal services that efficiently support the delivery of Saab products and capabilities. With extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in collaborative environments, Courtney’s team supports the work of all Saab Australia business units. Courtney’s career has crossed both the private and public sectors. A Chartered Accountant with qualifications in accounting, law and finance, she brings longstanding experience working in professional services with EY, as well as a strong background in public policy and stakeholder engagement secured via senior roles in all three tiers of Australian government.
Wendy Hoad, General Manager Commercial & Company Secretary
As head of Saab Australia’s commercial group, Wendy develops, implements and manages the company’s legal and commercial business strategies and processes. Leading a diverse, professional team, she is responsible for all legal advice, enterprise risk management, export control protocols, contract negotiations, dispute management, inventory and procurement services. As Saab Australia’s Company’s Secretary, she is also responsible for overseeing corporate governance. Wendy joined Saab in 2019 after eleven years with Australian submarine and surface ship builder, ASC where she held the role of General Counsel and Company Secretary. Prior to that, Wendy was a partner with Finlaysons, one of Australia’s most respected, commercial law firms. Wendy is a member of the Football Federation of Australia Disciplinary Committee and the St Ignatius College Board. She has a Bachelor of Laws, graduating with honours, from Adelaide University.