AUSTAL Limited (ASX:ASB) has announced the appointment of Kathryn Toohey as a non-executive director. 

Mrs Toohey will bring her strong program management, government procurement and digital and technology expertise to Austal. 

She has experience in senior executive roles in the Department of Defence, including head of land capability with the Australian Army where she was responsible for the modernisation and sustainment of all Army equipment and infrastructure including helicopters, tanks, communication systems and watercraft. 

In her last appointment within the Australian Defence Force Headquarters, she was responsible for integrating capability across the three services as part of the vice chief of the Defence Force Group. 

Mrs Toohey was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017 for “exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the fields of capability development and education”. 

Austal chairman John Rothwell said he was delighted to welcome Major General (Ret’d) Toohey to Austal.  

“Kathryn’s valuable experience with the Department of Defence, and particularly the Australian Army, will benefit Austal significantly as we prepare to deliver the LAND8710 Landing Craft (Medium and Heavy) contracts for the Australian Army,” Mr Rothwell said. 

“On behalf of the board, I warmly welcome Kathryn to Austal and look forward to working with her as we continue to develop Austal’s strategic shipbuilding partnership with the Commonwealth of Australia and deliver new landing craft capability for the Australian Army.” 

Mrs Toohey is also a non-executive director of Defence Health, Cylent International, Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants and ACT Basketball.  

She is also a member of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive council and provides a range of advisory and consulting services. 

Mrs Toohey holds an executive master in business administration (Complex Project Management), a master of management in defence studies, a graduate diploma in information technology, and a bachelor of electrical engineering (Honours).  

She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the INSEAD Advanced Management Programme. 

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by John Rothwell, Austal non-executive chairman.