Serco Asia Pacific CEO Mark Irwin recently had the opportunity to enjoy a first-hand experience of work and life in the Royal Australian Navy, taking part in Exercise Boss Lift 2018. As a strong supporter and employer of Australian Defence Force Reserves, Serco’s CEO embraced the chance to gain a greater understanding of the skills and capabilities that Reservists bring back to our workforce.
Exercise Boss Lift is coordinated and run by the Reserve and Youth Division of the Australian Defence Force and the Defence Reserves Support Council. This three-day exercise included time at sea in HMAS Adelaide – the second of two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) ships of the Royal Australian Navy. The activity in HMAS Adelaide occurred off the coast of New South Wales. It included launch and recovery of landing craft, transfer to the mainland in a Navy helicopter and visits to Navy bases HMAS Creswell and HMAS Albatross for survival training and flight simulator activities.
Mark Irwin, who was joined by Serco Fleet Marine Services Contract Director Mark Shannon, said the day was a rewarding experience. “Of the many highlights, the diversity and impressive competence of the professionals in the crew absolutely stood out,” he said. “It was a true privilege to see first-hand the very complex, yet incredibly well-managed interfaces between assets, technology and people that bring the unprecedented capability of the LHDs to life.”
Serco has been a long-standing supporter of Defence Reservists, and in 2017 was honoured with a Supportive Employer Award from the Defence Reserves Support Council. Mr Irwin said the company was committed to its Reservist program.
“Taking part in Exercise Boss Lift has only given me a deeper appreciation of the skills Reservists gain through their work with the Australian Defence Force,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for the men and women of our armed forces and I’m proud to play a role in helping Reservists continue the great job they are doing in supporting our nation.”
Photos (from top): Serco Asia Pacific CEO Mark Irwin (standing far right) with the Navy Exercise Boss Lift 2018 crew next to HMAS Adelaide; on board a 23.3m, 56.6-tonne amphibious landing craft for a launch and recovery activity from HMAS Adelaide’s large stern dock; CEO Mark Irwin with Fleet Marine Services Contract Director Mark Shannon.
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