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Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Deputy Secretary Jim McDowell stepped down from the Australian Public Service.
Defence acknowledged the service and retirement of Mr McDowell on April 11 this year, in an official statement.
McDowell had previously held positions as Chief Executive Officer at Nova Systems and Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet for the Government of South Australia.
“Defence wishes Mr McDowell all the best in his retirement from the APS,” according to the statement.
“From 2014 to 2018, Mr McDowell was a consultant with clients including the Department of Defence and Airservices Australia.
“Defence has benefited from Mr McDowell's deep understanding of complex program management at a national and international level, and extensive experience in engaging with stakeholders across a breadth of private and public sector organisations.”
As Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Deputy Secretary McDowell had been involved in Australia’s current General Purpose Frigate programme.
Under the $10 billion program, Australia plans to acquire 11 new general-purpose frigates from either Japanese or German industry designs.
McDowell has previously stated, in Senate Estimates, that the program is progressing aggressively and the ship evaluation phase will proceed from start to finish in just over two years.
