Release date: 24 November 2021

JFD Australia announces new managing director in a further strengthening of its local commitment

JFD Australia, provider of the highly responsive, trusted and reliable submarine rescue system to the Royal Australian Navy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Cathy Falkiner as its new managing director.

Ms Falkiner, previously JFD Australia’s business operations manager, will oversee the company’s continued growth in the nation’s defence and commercial sector as JFD Australia expands its commitment to local jobs, local manufacturing and Australian industry capability.

“Cathy has all the attributes of a highly successful leader and we are delighted to appoint her to this key executive role at JFD Australia,” said Mr Richard Dellar, managing director, JFD.

JFD is a global leader in subsea operations and manufacturing and Cathy will be instrumental in helping consolidate and further develop our strategic and regional partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.”

Chair, JFD Australia and retired Rear Admiral Dr Allan du Toit AM agreed:

“Cathy takes the helm of JFD Australia at an exciting time. She is an accomplished business leader with a tremendous amount of international experience across key global sectors including defence, mining services and manufacturing,” said Dr du Toit AM.

With that level of knowledge and expertise, Cathy was a natural choice to lead JFD Australia and we are delighted that she will drive JFD Australia’s strategic direction in an industry that is extremely critical to national security.”

Ms Falkiner spent 18 years in Ghana and Tanzania working in key executive roles in mining services, capital equipment supplies and manufacturing and, since returning to Australia eight years ago, has worked primarily in managerial roles in the local defence industry.

“JFD Australia has a fantastic offering as a one-stop shop to keep people safe underwater with specialised combat diving equipment, rebreathers and other life support systems,” said Ms Falkiner.

That ability to serve the needs of Australia’s Defence Force along with supplying the nation’s trusted and proven submarine rescue system, a vital sovereign capability, for more than a decade, really shows that keeping Australia’s defence force personnel safe will always be our highest priority.

To also have the opportunity to lead the JFD Australia team of some 100 highly skilled engineers, technicians and tradespeople at our Australian centre of excellence at Bibra Lake south of Perth and our advanced production centres in New South Wales is an incredible privilege.”

Ms Falkiner’s new role is effective immediately.