Board Director Andy Semmler

With 35 years working within Defence Primes in South Australia, Andy has held senior positions in Supply Chain and Industry roles across land, sea, and air domains and manufacturing.

Starting in 1991, Andy worked with BAE Systems Australia leading procurement and supply chain teams across multiple programs and corporate before transitioning to industry focussed roles in 2015.

In 2017 Andy moved to Naval Group Australia where he led the AIC scope of work on the Attack Class Submarine Program including significant and complex industry uplift programs with the aim of bring critical submarine manufacturing capability into Australia.

Upon cancellation of the Attack Class program, he moved to ASC Pty Ltd as Head of Australian Industry Capability establishing the AIC function within ASC driving numerous initiatives including a localisation program transferring overseas sourced products to Australian supply. In August 2024 was appointed Head of Industry Development & Engagement for the SSN AUKUS, conventionally armed, nuclear powered submarine build program within ASC.

Over the last 4 years, Andy has participated in the NSSG, Australian Naval Shipbuilding Industry Group (ANSIG) aimed at establishing sea systems priorities that were used to inform the 2024 Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) and associated Sovereign Defence Industry Priorities (SDIPS).

He has worked substantially with Australian and international suppliers and is passionate about growth of Australian industry to create a sovereign Australian supply base able meet the needs of defence.

Andy worked for his father's small engineering business early in his career and as he transitioned to defence in 1991, he saw first-hand the challenges that SME's face in working with defence programs. Those challenges have become considerably more complex over the last 20 years.

From a mechanical production background working in an SME to operational procurement through to senior procurement and Australian Industry Capability leadership, Andy understands and has influenced key strategic direction behind government policy and business decisions that enables him to be a trusted adviser and leader.

Andy was elected to the Board in October 2025.