Chair and Non-Executive Directors appointed to the ANI Board

The Albanese Government is pleased to appoint the following Directors to the Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI) Board:

• Mr Ronald Finlay AM as Chair, for three years, from 11 December 2024
• Major General Kathryn Toohey AM CSC (Retd) as Non-Executive Director, for three years, from 11 December 2024
• Mrs Andrea Hall as Non-Executive Director, for three years, commencing on 14 February 2025

Mr Finlay brings significant experience with over 40 years working on major construction and engineering projects, including many high-profile Defence projects. Mr Finlay was a member of both the Australian Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board and its replacement the Naval Shipbuilding Expert Advisory Panel. An experienced Board Chair and Non-Executive Director, Mr Finlay is currently the Independent Chair of WestConnex. 

Major General Toohey (Retd) has three decades of experience in Defence, with her last position as Head Force Integration Division within the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group. Major General Toohey (Retd) is currently a Non‑Executive Director on the Boards of Austal Ltd, Defence Health Pty Ltd, Cylnet International Pty Ltd, GWS Giants, and Basketball ACT. 

Mrs Hall is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair of audit and risk committees, with more than 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Mrs Hall is a Chartered Accountant and is currently a Non-Executive Director and Audit Chair for both the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation and Evolution Mining Boards, and Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committees for Perenti Ltd and Western Power (Electricity Networks Corporation). 

We wish to thank Mr Lucio Di Bartolomeo and Ms Janice van Reyk for their valuable contributions to the ANI Board since 2017. ANI has undergone significant growth during their time on the Board, including the 2020 completion of the state-of-the-art Osborne South Yard supporting the Hunter Class frigate project, and which will continue to be used into the future to build the Hobart Class destroyer replacement. Mr Di Bartolomeo and Ms van Reyk’s experience and leadership, as Board Chair and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee respectively, have been instrumental for the success of the company.

We congratulate Mr Finlay, Major General Toohey (Retd) and Mrs Hall on their appointments, and we look forward to working with them and the ANI Board. 

Quotes Attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP: 

“I congratulate Mr Finlay on his appointment as Chair to the ANI Board. His extensive experience in major construction and engineering projects and as a board Chair, coupled with his past role advising the Australian Government on naval shipbuilding projects, will stand ANI in good stead for the future.

“I look forward to working with Major General Toohey (Retd) and Mrs Andrea Hall on the Board and welcome the varied skills and experience they bring. Mrs Hall is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director and Audit and Risk Chair and Major General Toohey’s Defence experience in particular will be an asset as ANI delivers significant works including the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne.

“I would like to thank Mr Lucio Di Bartolomeo and Ms Janice van Reyk for their leadership and valuable contributions to the ANI Board since 2017, and growing the company to where it is today.”

Quotes Attributable to the Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher: 

“These appointments will help steward ANI to deliver the infrastructure for the nuclear-powered submarine build project. I congratulate Mr Finlay, Major General Toohey and Mrs Hall, on their appointments, and thank them for bringing their wealth of experience to the company.

“I wish the best to Mr Lucio Di Bartolomeo and Ms Janice van Reyk and thank them for all their work and support for the Board to bring the company to where it is today.”