The Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) has announced the appointment of its first Executive Director. Steve Davies will lead the activities of the not-for-profit body that aims to promote informed discussion on submarine matters.
Davies, a former Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Commodore and Submarine Force commander, takes on the role as the SIA ramps up its “Centenary of Australian Submarines” program towards 2014, the centenary year, and as Government decides on the future shape of the Australian submarine capability.
As Executive Director of the SIA, he will be responsible for implementation of the Institute’s programs to raise awareness of the submarine capability, celebrate the Centenary of Submarines in 2014 and promote informed discussion on submarine matters. In addition to his SIA duties he is also a consultant to the defence industry.
Davies joined the RAN College in 1981 and commenced submarine training in 1986, qualifying as a submarine officer later that year. The majority of his early career was spent in seagoing appointments in the Submarine Force, including command of the submarines HMAS COLLINS (1996-1998) and HMAS DECHAINEUX (2000-2003).
On promotion to Captain in 2003 Davies moved to Canberra as the Director of Sailors’ Career Management, responsible for planning and executing the postings of Navy’s 10,000 sailors.
In 2005 he was selected as the Australian Defence Force student at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, where he studied international relations in the defence environment. In December 2006 Captain Davies took command of HMAS STIRLING, Navy’s Fleet Base West.
In July 2008 he assumed command of the Submarine Force on promotion to Commodore, and in 2010 was appointed as the inaugural Director General Submarine Capability in Navy Strategic Command.
With Australia’s future submarine capability the topic of much current debate, Davies moves into the role with confidence and proven experience to make informed comments on the Australian submarine story in an informed and balanced manner.
For interviews or comments from Steve Davies please contact:
Jenny Coyle
c/- Devahasdin
Submarine Institute of Australia Inc
(08) 9226 2222
jenny@devahasdinpr.com.au
About the Submarine Institute of Australia
Established in 1999, the SIA is a not-for-profit body that has as its objective: ‘To promote informed discussion and research in the fields of submarine operations, engineering, history and commercial sub-sea engineering - otherwise known as submarine matters.’ With a global membership in military and industry sectors, the Institute has a number of projects that support its objective. It aims to provide an independent input into considerations underpinning Australia’s future submarine capability.
