Two of the six people recognised in this week’s Export Council of Australia Export Hero awards will be familiar to the defence industry community. Ross Spencer (SOS Marine, NSW) and Glenn Keys (Aspen Medical, ACT) were presented with their awards at a ceremony held at Government House in Perth on 12th February.
Each recipient was recognised for their unique contributions to export.
Under Ross Spencer’s leadership, SOS Marine expanded to become a world class supplier of marine accredited safety and protective equipment and is now a major accredited recognised supplier to the ADF for the design and manufacture of inflatable life jackets, waterproof drop bags, gun holsters, diver’s recovery vests and helicopter rescue strop. SOS Marine supplies safety equipment to twelve defence forces world-wide.
Glenn Keys is the well known co-founder and Executive Director of Canberra-based Aspen Medical, one of the world’s leading providers of outsourced healthcare solutions. In 2003, Glenn founded Aspen with his long-time friend, Dr Andrew Walker. A decade on and Aspen has a team of over 2,000 and operates across Australasia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, North America and the UK.
In presenting the Awards, the Chief Executive Officer for the Export Council of Australia Lisa McAuley said people who receive an Export Hero Award “have fought and won on the international stage.
“Technically smart, creative and hard working they are able to show the world that Australian’s can do anything, and often better than anybody else.”
Created in 1997, the Australian Export Heroes Awards recognise and acknowledge the champions of Australia’s export community as they contribute to further developing a uniquely Australian export culture.