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Australian-owned advisory and investment firm KordaMentha has announced key defence appointments for 2025.
KordaMentha has launched a Defence and National Security Practice with the appointment of sector specialists Mike Kalms and Joshua Rodgers as joint practice leads.
Mike Kalms joins as Industry lead Partner, Defence & National Security following a 30-year career in the Defence and National Security sector including roles in the Department of Defence, industry and consulting.
Joining alongside him as Partner, Defence & National Security, Joshua Rodgers is an engineer with over 20 years’ experience consulting to clients in the defence, research and development and higher education sectors.
“We’re looking forward to working with agencies and organisations across Australia’s Defence and National Security landscape as they navigate a challenging strategic environment,” said Joshua, who previously led strategic reviews and sustainment optimisation programs for Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock, Collins Class Submarine Life-of-Type-Extension, Guardian Class and Cape Class Patrol Boats, and C130J Super Hercules aircraft.
“This includes addressing a deteriorating geopolitical landscape, constrained budgets, and an increasing urgency to build, acquire and sustain the equipment necessary for Australia’s protection, both at home and abroad.”
“KordaMentha’s DNA in restructuring, turnaround, and rapid action to improve performance, combined with the extensive expertise Josh and I bring, will enable us to provide a dedicated, market-leading service with no vested interests or engagements,” said Mike, who has more than 30 years of experience in commercial and defence roles, as well as three decades in the ADF and serves in the Australian Army Reserve.
“Importantly, being fiercely independent - with no audit or tax services - will undoubtedly help us to deliver evidenced insights to leaders and partners across the Defence and National Security sector.”
Mike further added, “The opposite of land-and-expand, at KordaMentha we are sovereign capability-centric and outcome-driven. Taking to heart the Minimum Viable Capability principles adopted by Defence, we are building a practice that can work across the entire supply base and quickly identify where a complex program can improve and deliver the capabilities our service personnel require faster.”
The launch of the Defence and National Security Practice reflects KordaMentha’s ongoing investment in sectors facing complex strategic and financial challenges. Over the past 12 months, the firm has also expanded its capabilities across Health, the Public Sector and Education.
