ASC names acting CEO

The Board of ASC announced the appointment of Alex Walsh as Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASC. Currently serving as ASC’s Chief Nuclear and Capability Officer and Chief Operating Officer Multi-Class Sustainment Delivery, Walsh has a mix of global executive experience across defence and nuclear industries. He has held several senior roles at ASC, including General Manager of Engineering, and is currently focussed on the Multi-Class Sustainment Delivery. Alex Walsh Walsh previously held executive positions at Sellafield Limited—the UK government entity responsible for the Sellafield nuclear site—serving as Executive Project Manager and Executive Manager of Engineering. He also held leadership roles at BAE Systems as Head of Nuclear Construction and Head of Nuclear Safety Engineering. Walsh will succeed Stuart Whiley who has served at the helm of ASC since 2014 through a transformative period. Whiley commenced at ASC at the start of the Collins class program more than 35 years ago and has played an instrumental role in establishing Australia’s sovereign capability. Walsh will formally commence as Acting CEO on 12 December 2025. ASC Chair Bruce Carter said: “Alex brings deep organisational knowledge and extensive nuclear engineering experience that will support the ASC Board and executive leadership in transitioning ASC to a multi-platform, nuclear-capable organisation. He previously worked at ASC from February 2013 to October 2014 and then rejoined ASC in January 2022. Stuart has continued to demonstrate his unwavering commitment and dedication to ASC. We sincerely thank him for his outstanding leadership and more than 35 years of service to the organisation.” Meanwhile, the Australian government announced the appointments of two non-executive directors to the ASC Board. The government has reappointed Dr Janis Cocking as Non-Executive Director to the ASC Board for a further three-year term, commencing 24 January 2026. Cocking has been a Non-Executive Director on the ASC Board since 2023. Cocking’s reappointment will provide continuity and stability to the ASC Board during the period of significant growth and transformation into a multi-platform, nuclear-capable submarine enterprise. Dr Cocking will continue to bring her extensive technical submarine knowledge and defence industry experience to the ASC Board. The government has appointed Mr Jonathan Simcock as Non-Executive Director to the ASC Board for a three -year term, having commenced on 27 November 2025. Simcock brings extensive nuclear and large organisation experience across government and the private sector. Mr Simcock’s previous roles as Chair of the UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency and Non-Executive Director of Sellafield Limited provide the ASC Board with the experience and awareness to mature and build a nuclear mindset and safety culture including engaging with nuclear regulators. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]