AVM Peter Nicholson AO

    Air-Vice Marshal Peter Nicholson is a recognised expert in defence and national security affairs. As Chairman of the Institute for Regional Security, a not-for-profit strategic think tank providing policy research and advice to Government and industry, he oversees the Future Strategic Leaders’ Program that facilitates the development of the next generation of strategic thinkers and builds a national security community.

    His extensive Air Force and Joint Force operational experience is complemented by an in-depth understanding of Federal and State governments at the parliamentary and official levels; his experience as a company director on a variety of not-for-profit and Government boards; and his in-depth knowledge of the Defence industry sector and of its systems, technologies and processes.

    Awards and Qualifications

    • Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
    • Master of Public Administration (Auburn University, Alabama); Bachelor of Engineering (University of WA)
    • Graduate of the National Defence College of Canada; the USAF Air War College; and the RAAF Staff College.
    • Graduate of the Advanced Management course of the Graduate Business School of Stanford University and the National University of Singapore; the Advanced Management Program of the Melbourne School of Business, Mount Eliza; and the National Security Executive Management Program of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
    • Fellow of Engineers Australia, Royal Aeronautical Society, Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Institute of Management; Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Flight Test Society of Australia and the Association of Old Crows.

    Career History

    • Director, aadi Defence Pty Ltd
    • Head of Government Relations, aadi Defence Pty Ltd
    • Managing Director Warp Ten Solutions Pty Ltd
    • Head of Government Relations, BAE Systems Australia
    • Chief Knowledge Officer, Department of Defence
    • Head of Strategic Policy and Planning, Department of Defence
    • Air Commander Australia
    • Inaugural Commander of Northern Command
    • Inaugural Officer Commanding RAAF Base Tindal
    • Test pilot and fighter pilot, RAAF
    Air-Vice Marshal Nicholson successfully re-organised HQ Air Command to emphasise the importance of information warfare and management, and to improve operational level planning. He is a strategic thinker and his energy, leadership and conceptual impetus have been responsible for major improvements and will ensure that Air Command is well placed to operate effectively well into the 21st century
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