Naval Group Pacific, a subsidiary of French shipbuilding company Naval Group, has appointed Dr Margaret Law as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this role, Dr Law will be responsible for establishing Naval Group Pacific’s Australian Technical Strategy, in close coordination with Naval Group’s CTO team in charge of the Technical Research and Innovation Strategy. This will include developing and executing on the associated research and developing the program of work.
Dr Law brings over 24 years of defence industry experience to the role. Prior to joining Naval Group Pacific, Dr Law was Acting General Manager Industry and Innovation within Naval Group Australia working on the Future Submarine Program where she had oversight of the Australian Industry Capability, and the Transfer of Technology teams. Prior to joining Naval Group Australia, Margaret spent 11 years with ASC where she held a number of roles at senior levels, all with a focus on innovation, science and technology.
Francois Romanet, CEO of Naval Group Pacific said that Dr Law’s excellence in innovation and collaboration will not only benefit the company, but partners and industry.
“Dr Law’s deep knowledge of the defence innovation landscape, and experience with collaborations across defence, industry, academic and research will help drive Naval Group Pacific’s mission to solve some of the local defence industry’s most critical challenges. We look forward to the expertise and skills she will bring to every program under her remit.”
Dr Law said she was looking forward to helping Naval Group Pacific drive pioneering research and development initiatives in Australia.
“From the black box flight recorder to Wi-Fi and the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer, Australia is home to world-class innovation. We punch well above our weight, and coupling our country’s inherent curiosity with Naval Group’s dynamic approach to research and development will not only help grow Australia’s defence capability, but lead to inventions and breakthroughs that can benefit many.”
Naval Group Pacific was established in October 2019 as a separate entity to Naval Group Australia, which is wholly dedicated to the Australian Future Submarine Program. Naval Group Pacific is focused on strengthening Australia’s broader defence capabilities through sales, program management and sustainment of Naval Group’s existing portfolio of advance technology products, systems and services, and through the building of partnerships with the Australian industry. Naval Group Pacific will be operated out of Sydney, Australia, and have responsibility for Naval Group business development activities in Australia and New Zealand.
