Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has appointed a new Program Director – Regional Maintenance Provider (RMP) West to lead the company’s surface ship sustainment efforts at Henderson, Western Australia.
Former Babcock employee Gary Potts returns to the fold to assume this key role following the retirement of Rob Dunn, who has held the position since 2023.
During his previous tenure at Babcock, Mr Potts served as Major Programs Director overseeing JP9101 (High Frequency Communications), Counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear and Explosives asset management, ADF Ground Support Equipment and ASC Collins Class sustainment.
He brings extensive experience leading defence and maritime programs, including 15 years at BAE Systems in program leadership roles on Hunter Class, Air Warfare Destroyers and the Landing Helicopter Docks. Mr Potts began his career in the Royal Navy and served as an engineering officer on submarines until moving to Australia in 2006.
His longstanding connections within Defence industry and the maritime domain has enabled him to slip seamlessly back into Babcock’s operations, working in close partnership with the Department of Defence to deliver naval sustainment capability on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Babcock Australasia Managing Director Marine Simon Spratt welcomed Mr Potts to the role.
“Gary’s experience, connections, and historic knowledge of Babcock’s business operations makes him the perfect fit to assume the role of Program Director for RMP-West,” said Spratt.
“The RMP West program will see a significant increase in volume in 2025 via the Commonwealth’s Maritime Sustainment Model, and Gary’s proven leadership has him well placed to work in close concert with Regional Maintenance Centre (RMC) West, local industry and our extensive cohort of suppliers.
“As the premier warship sustainment company in Australia and New Zealand, Babcock is proud to be working in partnership with the Australian Government at a time when national security has never been more important or more complex to deliver.”
Mr Potts said: “Returning to Babcock feels like coming home. I know the business operations intimately and I’m looking forward to working alongside many of my former colleagues yet again.”
“RMP-West is a critical program for our Royal Australian Navy and I look forward to leading our team to deliver quality sustainment outcomes on-time in support of our servicemen and women.”
Babcock is the largest surface ship sustainment company in Australasia, currently sustaining more than 50 per cent of the major surface fleet for the Royal Australian Navy and 100 per cent of the Royal New Zealand Navy.