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The integrated services provider has consolidated a number of its business units to form an expanded defence division.
Downer Group has announced the launch of ‘Downer Defence’ — the consolidation of three business units, which include:
- Downer Professional Services (formerly Downer Defence Systems);
- Base and Estate Management (formerly part of Spotless); and
- Estate Development and Base Upgrades.
The group has confirmed Downer Defence would be led by Jacob Bonisch, who will serve as executive general manager.
Bonisch, who has served as executive general manager, defence under the group’s Spotless business since 2018, will now report directly to the CEO of Downer Group, Grant Fenn.
Fenn said the new division would build on Downer’s work with Defence, supporting the Commonwealth government’s strategic objectives.
“Recent challenges to Australia’s resilience, including COVID-19, bushfires and floods, have further reinforced the need for strong onshore capabilities,” he said.
“Downer Defence offers the skills and focus required to assist the Australian government and Defence to achieve its Sovereign Industry Capability Priorities.”
Fenn added: “The establishment of Downer Defence reflects our strong support for a more self-reliant and resilient Australia.
“We look forward to building on our proud 80-year history supporting Defence.”
This latest announcement comes just a week after Team Downer (a Downer Group-led industry co-operative) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with JLB-Yaran, aimed at supporting the ongoing delivery of sovereign capability to Defence.
The MOU, signed at Land Forces 2021 and witnessed by Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price, also aims to promote employment opportunities for veterans and the Indigenous community.
In April, Downer became a ‘prime partner’ of the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) — a member-based organisation, which aims to support the development of sovereign capability by increasing the overall competitiveness of local firms in global markets.
[Related: Team Downer, JLB-Yaran sign MOU]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
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