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DroneShield has announced that Oleg Vornik has stepped down as CEO.
Oleg Vornik, CEO of DroneShield, will be stepping down as CEO and managing director, with chief technology officer Angus Bean stepping into the role.
Vornik joined the C-UAS company in 2015, saying “it has been an experience of a lifetime to serve as DroneShield’s CEO”. He will continue with the company for the next three months as an adviser to “support a smooth transition”.
“With over 500 employees across the globe today, I am proud to have led DroneShield during a period of exceptional growth, and to have established the momentum for the next stage,” Vornik said.
“Leading a rapidly growing public company from inception has been incredibly demanding. After 11 years I am looking forward to taking some time off and reconnecting with family and friends before I decide what’s next.”
DroneShield’s chairman, Peter James, has also announced he is retiring from the board after joining 10 years ago.
In November last year, Vornik and James faced major public questioning as they sold over $70 million worth of shares with little to no explanation.
“Having served over 10 years on DroneShield’s board, I believe now is the right time to commence the transition to a new chair,” James said.
“I am confident that these changes set the company up for its next stage of growth, with refreshed leadership and new energy to capture the momentum in the rapidly growing market for counter-drone technology.”
Hamish McLennan will join the board as independent non-executive director and chairman-elect from 1 May.
“I have followed DroneShield’s trajectory closely and am looking forward to contributing to the next phase of the company’s development both within Australia and abroad,” McLennan said.
Speaking on his new executive appointment, Bean expressed his thanks for working alongside both Vornik and James for over 10 years.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work side by side with Oleg and Peter since those early days, so I’m honoured to step into the CEO role.
“I joined DroneShield as its sixth employee and have had the privilege of leading the technical team’s growth from a small, ambitious team into a global leader.
“This transition is the result of a deliberate succession process, and I want to acknowledge the people who made it possible.”
As per his employment contract, Vornik is bound by a 12-month non-compete and non-solicitation clause, making it unlikely he will venture back into the C-UAS for the time being.
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