Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has appointed a new Program Director – Regional Maintenance Provider (RMP) West to lead the company’s surface ship sustainment efforts at Henderson, Western Australia. Former Babcock employee Gary Potts returns to the fold to assume this key role following the retirement of Rob Dunn, who has held the position since 2023.
During his previous tenure at Babcock, Potts served as Major Programs Director overseeing JP9101 (High Frequency Communications), Counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear and Explosives asset management, ADF Ground Support Equipment and ASC Collins Class sustainment. He brings extensive experience leading defence and maritime programs, including 15 years at BAE Systems in program leadership roles on Hunter Class, Air Warfare Destroyers and the Landing Helicopter Docks. Mr Potts began his career in the Royal Navy and served as an engineering officer on submarines until moving to Australia in 2006. His longstanding connections within Defence industry and the maritime domain has enabled him to slip seamlessly back into Babcock’s operations, working in close partnership with the Department of Defence to deliver naval sustainment capability on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Babcock Australasia Managing Director Marine Simon Spratt welcomed Potts to the role. “Gary’s experience, connections, and historic knowledge of Babcock’s business operations makes him the perfect fit to assume the role of Program Director for RMP-West,” said Spratt. “The RMP West program will see a significant increase in volume in 2025 via the Commonwealth’s Maritime Sustainment Model, and Gary’s proven leadership has him well placed to work in close concert with Regional Maintenance Centre (RMC) West, local industry and our extensive cohort of suppliers. As the premier warship sustainment company in Australia and New Zealand, Babcock is proud to be working in partnership with the Australian Government at a time when national security has never been more important or more complex to deliver.”
Potts said: “Returning to Babcock feels like coming home. I know the business operations intimately and I’m looking forward to working alongside many of my former colleagues yet again. RMP-West is a critical program for our Royal Australian Navy and I look forward to leading our team to deliver quality sustainment outcomes on-time in support of our servicemen and women.”
Babcock awarded five-year British Army strategic support partner contract
Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has secured a five-year contract extension worth around £1.0 billion* with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). As a strategic partner to the UK MOD, this contract award further underpins Babcock’s commitment and long-term relationship with the British Army. Specialising in building new vehicles, supporting its fleet, and training its soldiers, Babcock plays a crucial role in ensuring operational readiness for the British Army. The transformation of the original contract (DSG) over the first 10 years will be further accelerated over the extension period directly supporting the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy, delivering significant value to the MOD and growth to the UK economy.
The extension to the existing DSG Service Provision and Transformation Contract (SPTC) will deliver a comprehensive range of support capabilities for the Army in the UK with global reach. Through the course of the extension Babcock will deliver improved readiness, regeneration and asset management services underpinned by extensive engineering and supply chain expertise. This will maximise the availability of critical army equipment whilst delivering increased value for money and better outcomes for both partners.
A comprehensive transformation programme will deliver a step change in support outputs, thereby setting the foundation for the army modernisation programme in the coming decades. In collaboration with the MOD, who have committed to investment in facilities and equipment, Babcock will continue to invest in its workforce of 1,600 highly skilled people across more than 20 sites throughout the UK, including skills development and a robust apprentice scheme dedicated to nurturing talent and building expertise.
Babcock’s Chief Executive Officer, David Lockwood said: “In a period of increased global instability, more is being expected of our armed forces. This contract extension ensures that Babcock continues to provide the British Army with the tools to do its job, when and wherever they are needed. Our know-how, application of technology and extensive experience in the land domain help ensure that the British Army is ready to fight and win wars.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Tanks, armoured vehicles and kit are the backbone of the British Army. We are taking action to ensure the outstanding service men and women of our Armed Forces are properly equipped and ready to respond to ever-changing global threats. Supported by largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, this substantial investment with Babcock demonstrates how defence is an engine for growth: supporting businesses of all sizes and sustaining more than 1,600 good, well-paid jobs across Britain. National security is the bedrock of a successful economy and our Government’s Plan for Change.”
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