SMD Advisory — Steven Drinkwater OAM

SMD Advisory

Steven Drinkwater OAM

Non-Executive Board Director Strategic Defence & Industry Leader Governance & Sovereign Capability Advisor

Strengthening Australia’s industrial base, sovereign capability and governance performance through strategic leadership, deep industry experience, and a lifetime of service across Defence, industry, and international sport.

Based in Brisbane, Queensland • Working with boards, executives & industry leaders across Australia and internationally.

About

Steven

Steven Drinkwater OAM is a highly respected non-executive director, Defence industry leader and governance specialist with more than 30 years of experience spanning Defence, aerospace, manufacturing, sovereign industrial capability, and international sport administration.

His career uniquely bridges military service, senior industry leadership, global not-for-profit governance, and national advocacy roles. Steven has served in senior positions across every part of the Defence ecosystem — in uniform with the Royal Australian Air Force, within Defence Materiel / CASG environments, as Managing Director of a Defence SME, in senior supply chain leadership with Rheinmetall Defence Australia, and through almost 14 years of service to the Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN).

Steven brings a reputation for diplomacy, clarity, integrity and the ability to unite teams, industry, and government towards shared objectives. With deep technical understanding, commercial experience, governance capability and a collaborative leadership style, he delivers strategic insight with practical, operationally grounded solutions.

He is passionate about Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, strengthening SME competitiveness, and ensuring that Australian industry remains resilient, future-ready, and globally connected.

Recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his decades of service, Steven’s leadership style is anchored in fairness, humility, and delivering real outcomes for organisations, boards, and communities.

Leadership & Values

A consistent thread throughout Steven’s career is his focus on building trusted organisations and cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, particularly across Defence, sovereign capability, and high-stakes operational environments.

Core values:

Respect – building trust-based relationships
Accountability – delivering with transparency and consistency
Collaboration – bringing teams and stakeholders together
Excellence – maintaining high standards across governance, capability and leadership

“He believes that strong organisations are built through trust, clear governance, and the deliberate development of emerging leaders – principles that remain essential across Defence, industry and national capability.”

Honoured With the Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

Steven was nominated for an Order of Australia award at the same time by two very different organisations he was deeply committed to: the Agility Dog Association of Australia (ADAA) and the Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN).

The honour reflects his contribution to governance standards, leadership of major international events, and strengthening competitive pathways — delivered in parallel with a demanding career across Defence and industry.

Advisory

Sovereign Capability & Defence Industry Advisory

SMD Advisory provides strategic guidance to boards, executive teams and Australian organisations operating across Defence, aerospace, manufacturing, transport, heavy automotive, and advanced industry sectors.

Steven supports organisations seeking to:

Understand Defence procurement frameworks, including ASDEFCON
Navigate Australian Industry Capability (AIC) and the Global Supply Chain Program (GSCP)
Strengthen sovereign supply chain capability
Enter and operate within the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP)
Build resilience, governance maturity and risk management frameworks
Engage effectively with Defence, Primes and government stakeholders
Position for capital programs, industrial participation and long-term contract readiness
Map capability, supplier readiness and export potential
Enhance team cohesion, leadership and stakeholder confidence

His advisory approach combines technical insight, policy knowledge and commercial discipline, ensuring organisations are aligned with national priorities while remaining competitive, compliant and operationally effective.

Why organisations work with Steven

A strategist with hands-on Defence industry experience
A governance leader who brings clarity and direction
A bridge between industry, government and international partners
A people-centred leader committed to developing the next generation

Director Spotlight

Insights

“Some directors build depth in one sector. Steve Drinkwater OAM has built depth across an entire ecosystem - Defence, industry, export-controlled environments, Not-for-Profit governance, and international sport leadership.”

“Good leaders do not have to be the cleverest person in the room. Often, the very best leaders are the people that make sure they surround themselves with a good team.”

“Our Defence procurement system is still very slow and cumbersome. This creates challenges for Defence SMEs in regards to cash flow and staff retention.”

Read more → Director Spotlight on LinkedIn

Areas of Expertise

Defence, Governance & Operational Expertise

Defence, Industry & Sovereign Capability

Australian Industry Capability (AIC)
Global Supply Chain Program (GSCP)
Sovereign manufacturing & industrial participation
Defence Industry Security Program (DISP)
Defence procurement & ASDEFCON frameworks
Industry engagement with CASG, ODIS, Primes & government
Export controls, ITAR & international trade compliance

Governance, Boards & Leadership

Corporate and not-for-profit board leadership
Governance, risk, ESG & compliance oversight
Stakeholder and government relations
Strategy, culture building & organisational alignment
International diplomacy and representation

Operational Expertise

Supply chain, sustainment & logistics
Multi-domain program leadership (Land, Air, Sea)
High-risk and regulated environments
Complex stakeholder coordination
International event and program delivery

International Experience

Global supply chains & partnerships

Steven’s work spans multiple regions, reflecting deep experience with global supply chains, export programs and international partnerships:

Australia
Germany
United States
United Kingdom & Europe
South-East Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand)
Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia)

Career Overview

Leadership across Defence, industry & governance

Manager, AIC & Global Supply Chain Program
Rheinmetall Defence Australia
Led a national team managing sovereign capability, supplier integration, Defence exports and risk-based governance.

Managing Director
Military & Aviation Spares Pty Ltd
Sixteen years leading a Defence SME delivering sustainment and procurement solutions across global supply chains.

Chairman, Integrated Capability Team (ICT)
Australian Federal Government
Chaired a national initiative uniting Defence SMEs and led international trade missions.

Leadership Roles
Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN)
President, Vice President, Committee Member — 14 years of advocacy and policy leadership.

International & National Sport Governance
International Federation of Cynological Sports (IFCS)
Agility Dog Association of Australia (ADAA)

Military Service
Royal Australian Air Force

Personal Note

Hear From Steve

I have always had a strong commitment to service and to community. When I look back at my experiences in work and volunteer roles, it seems commitment and longevity in the various positions I have undertaken are a continuous theme.

Strength through strong leadership is good, but I believe it must be balanced by having different and opposing views around the Board table, and allowing all to have a voice. Good leaders can listen, adjust their position as required, and influence.

I always strive to see the big picture, and the medium to long term strategy.

I have an interest and a commitment to see Australian industry and manufacturing create sovereign capability through innovation and the use of emerging technologies that foster and create self-reliance in the national industrial base, build job opportunities, and increase national security.

In an advisory capacity to a Board or Program, or as a Non-Executive Director across many sectors and industries, I bring a broad range of life experiences, and general boardroom capability in regards to corporate governance, industry and government engagement, and a professional approach based on decades of making decisions and influencing around the board-table.

In the specific context of advising and contributing in the Defence and Defence Industry sector, I have over two decades of Defence Industry experience, with strong networks and valuable hands-on experience across the different perspectives that come from Defence, Defence Primes, Defence SME companies, and industry associations like the Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN). I am a member of the Defence Industry Study Course (DISC) alumni, and I have experience with ASDEFCON contracting templates, AIC Plans, and a strong understanding of the security requirements under the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).

Sports administration, governance, and major event organisation at a national and international level have been the cornerstone of most of my volunteer roles in the Not-For-Profit sector.

Leadership Philosophy

“Strong governance and cohesive leadership are the foundations of every successful organisation. My work is focused on building capability, clarity and confidence so leaders and teams can deliver with unity and purpose.”

Experience & Credibility

“With more than 30 years across Defence, industry and international leadership, Steven brings a practical, outcomes-driven approach grounded in collaboration, accountability and rigorous due diligence.”

Defence & Sovereign Capability Positioning

“Steven is recognised for strengthening leadership capability and organisational trust across Defence and sovereign industry, ensuring Australia’s national capability remains future-ready.”