ASC CEO will not renew current contract

The CEO of ASC — the government-owned company tasked with sustaining Australia’s current submarine fleet and building the upcoming SSN‑AUKUS submarine fleet with BAE Systems — will leave the role when his contract expires in January 2026.

In a statement from the company on Friday, ASC said that Stuart Whiley’s time at the shipbuilder and has spanned “the establishment of Australia’s sovereign submarine, shipbuilding and sustainment capability”, beginning as an engineer in 1989 during the current Collins Class build.

Whiley has served in “many engineering operational, program management and senior management roles” since then, and has been Managing Director and CEO since 2014.

Executive recruitment firm Korn Ferry has been appointed by the board to find a replacement. 

Chair Bruce Carter said in a statement that Whiley’s hard work and determination “have resulted in the delivery of world class submarine availability of the Collins Class fleet to the Royal Australian Navy, and the successful announcement of ASC as the nation’s sovereign nuclear-powered submarine builder and sustainer in March 2024. 

A life-of-type extension (LOTE) program for the Collins submarines, commencing with HMAS Farncomb in 2026 at Osborne Naval Shipyard, was confirmed by the federal government in June.

“These achievements are a testament to Stuart’s dedication to his role and ASC under at times, difficult circumstances,” added Carter.  

ASC operates shipyards at South Australia and Western Australia. SA workers went on strike last month over an enduring dispute over pay parity with those at WA, which the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union claims are paid 17.5 per cent more on average.

Picture: credit ASC

Further reading

AUKUS submarine workers continue strike action at ASC

ASC snares $2.2 billion Collins sustainment contract

ASC pledges to work with striking workers but cuts pay offer – report

Government approves Collins submarine life extension works