The NIOA Group has appointed one of its most experienced munitions executives to lead the company’s United Kingdom expansion.

Mark Osborn OAM will head up the NIOA UK office in Bristol as the company looks to explore emerging munitions manufacturing and military supply opportunities across the UK and Europe.

NIOA Group CEO Rob Nioa said Mr Osborn’s appointment as General Manager underlined the company’s commitment to existing British defence industry partners while signalling a new phase of growth in the region.

It’s just over a year since NIOA announced it was setting up in the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) complex at Abbey Wood – home to the MoD’s procurement arm Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S).

“Expanding our footprint in the UK and Europe is a major strategic milestone for the company as we look to support allied industrial capability,” Mr Nioa said.

“Mark brings extensive leadership experience and a proven ability to deliver results having served as NIOA Australia’s Director of Munitions for the past five years.

“His track record in engineering and test support, project management,

systems engineering, configuration management and explosive ordnance management makes him the ideal choice to guide our growth and build strong partnerships in this important market.”

Mr Osborn said: “The UK presents enormous opportunities for NIOA and I’m looking forward to building our team to deliver for our current and new clients.

“With the backing of our operations in Australia, the United States and New Zealand we are well placed to make an impact here.”

Mr Osborn joined NIOA in 2016, bringing with him more than 30 years’ experience in Defence, including 18 years in the Royal Australian Air Force.

As the NIOA Group’s Munitions Director, he has been instrumental in NIOA’s delivery of the Major Munitions, LAND17 and 81mm mortar contracts for the Australian Defence Force.

His distinguished military service was recognised on Australia Day in 2003 when he was awarded an OAM for meritorious service to the RAAF in the field of explosive ordnance engineering.

He holds an Associate Diploma of Applied Science in Ordnance Engineering,

Master of Project Management, Advanced Diploma of Management (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering – Avionics) and Post Graduate Certificate in Business and has completed the Executive Leadership Course at the University of Oxford.

NIOA Australia-New Zealand CEO Ben James, left, congratulates newly appointed NIOA UK General Manager Mark Osborn.