Droneshield: Michael Powell takes over operational leadership as Chief Operating Officer

As the new Chief Operating Officer (COO), Michael Powell is to strengthen the operational leadership of Droneshield at the start of its next phase of growth. The Australian provider of technology for countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) recently announced the appointment. Powell has many years of international experience.

The appointment follows a period of accelerated growth. Droneshield has stepped up its activities in Europe and the United States, is seeing rising demand from defence, government and critical-infrastructure customers, and has significantly expanded production capacity at its own facility in Alexandria, New South Wales. The expansion of this site is raising production throughput considerably, shortening lead times and making the supply chain more resilient. This enables the company to support long-term programmes as well as sustained global demand.

More than 25 years in senior roles

Michael Powell has held senior leadership and operations management roles for more than 25 years, spanning defence, aerospace, secure communications, simulation, rail and critical infrastructure. He has worked as COO, Managing Director and Operations Director at leading international organisations, including Thales Australia and Knorr-Bremse. There he led large multinational teams and was responsible for complex operational portfolios worth several hundred million euros.

His responsibilities included building and scaling global manufacturing and supply-chain processes, leading international corporate turnarounds and large-scale operational transformation programmes. In doing so, he aligned disciplined execution with what reliable, mission-critical customers demand.

Powell has lived and worked in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Academically, he holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Engineering; he is also a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers.

The new COO's tasks at Droneshield

In his new role, Powell is responsible for scaling the company's global operations. This also includes expanding delivery and sustainment capacity and coordinating engineering, manufacturing and the supply chain “to support the company's growing product portfolio and growing international customer base”, Droneshield said. The company explained:

His appointment reflects Droneshield's focus on operational excellence as countering UAS is increasingly being integrated into frameworks for national security, public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure worldwide.— Droneshield

Michael Powell is a proven executive with extensive experience in delivering complex programmes on a global scale— Oleg Vornik, Chief Executive of Droneshield

With demand for counter-UAS capabilities continuing to rise, his leadership will be crucial in ensuring that Droneshield grows with discipline, resilience and a relentless focus on customer outcomes.— Oleg Vornik, Chief Executive of Droneshield