SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX: AVA) announced Mal Maginnis will join the Company on 9 January 2023 as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Rob Broomfield, who will retire as CEO and Director.

Mal Maginnis will join the Board of Directors in due course. Mal Maginnis is a seasoned leader of global technology-enabled businesses with more than 35 years of experience in the defence, security, safety and technology industries.

Mal most recently served as President of Rapiscan Systems from July 2017 until September 2022. Rapiscan is a US-headquartered global manufacturer of security equipment and systems designed for checkpoints, cargo, vehicle, baggage, parcel and air cargo security inspection. Its FY22 revenues were US$662 million (circa A$988 million).

Ava Risk Group Chairman, David Cronin, said: “Having first met Mal more than 15 years ago, I am very confident that he is the right leader to drive the growth phase of our business. Exceptionally well-regarded within the industry, Mal’s extensive technology, security and defence experience as well as his business development skills will be most valuable in strengthening our partnerships, developing new strategic alliances and expanding our international sales presence. We believe his strong leadership experience will greatly enhance and accelerate Ava’s growth strategy.”

Prior to joining Rapiscan, Mal Maginnis was the head of Iveagh Technology a technology development company based in Singapore and one of the owners of SX Technologies, a Sydney-based detection company.

He was also President of Smiths Detection, based in London, from 2011 to 2014. In his 14 years at Smiths, Mal held several other senior positions including Head of Technology, Programs and Products and also oversaw the global military and emergency responder business unit. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from the Faculty of Military Studies, University of NSW and is a Graduate of the UK Command Staff College.

“I am proud and pleased to be handing the reins over to Mal, who brings significant industry and commercial experience to Ava Risk Group,” said Rob Broomfield. “With our strong and scalable global growth platform in place the business will benefit from the direction of a very capable international industry leader. I will continue to support the company as much as is needed during the transition period and remain a committed shareholder of Ava.”

Rob Broomfield will retire when Mal joins as CEO on 9 January 2023, however will remain available to the Company via a consulting arrangement for up to 12 months.

“Over the past 17 years, Rob has made an enormous contribution to Ava Risk Group in several important roles,” David Cronin added. Most recently, he led a significant reshaping of Ava’s technology related businesses, namely FFT and BQT, and was instrumental in commercialising multiple world leading technology innovations across the Group. He has successfully grown our international footprint, expanded the brand across multiple new platforms and overseen a wide-ranging reset of the core Ava technology business strategy.

He was also at the helm of the company when we won the Australian Prime Minister’s Global Exporter of the Year Award. On behalf of the Board and management team, I would like to acknowledge Rob’s dedicated service and thank him for all of his exceptional efforts and achievements during his tenor at the Company.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mal Maginnis said: “I am very excited to be working with the team to execute their mission for growth. Ava is in a strong position with its world leading set of products, some of the very best blue-chip customers, and importantly, a dedicated and talented workforce that uniquely positions it to capitalise on the large and growing markets that its products address.”