Gabby Costigan has been promoted to Group Managing Director of Business Development for BAE Systems and will hand over the reins of BAE Systems Australia - the country's largest defence contractor by turnover in 2021 - to Ben Hudson.
Gabby will move to the UK in Q2 following a handover to Ben, previously the Chief Technology Officer in the UK. Ben previously led the global vehicle systems portfolio for Rheinmetall, based in Germany, held senior roles with General Dynamics in Switzerland, and served as an officer in the Australian Army, including active service in East Timor.
Gabby Costigan joined BAE Systems Australia as CEO-designate on 2 October 2017 and became CEO on 1 January 2018. During her tenure, the Australian business has grown from about 3000 employees to more than 5500 as major programs ramped up including the JORN upgrade, F-35 sustainment and the Hunter Class frigate program.
Gabby was awarded an MBE in 2019 for her services to relations between the UK and Australia. In 2021, she was invited by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council. Gabby is a Board member of the Princes Trust, an AMCHAM NSW Honorary Governor, Chair of the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service, a member of the CSIRO Manufacturing Advisory Group and a member of the University of Adelaide Defence Cyber and Space Advisory Board.
“I have loved leading Australia’s most diverse defence company over the past four years. The breadth of the work undertaken by the business and the capabilities and commitment of employees is really quite exceptional," Costigan said. “It’s been hugely rewarding to see the business grow as major programs have ramped up while also delivering our existing contracts.
“I am really looking forward to continuing to support the Australian business in my new role.”