Leading Australian defence technology provider Aurizn Group sets the stage for global expansion with acquisition of McR Defence and new leadership

Following the strategic acquisition of McR Defence from the national independent law firm, McCullough Robertson, in August, Brett Sangster has been appointed as the CEO of Aurizn Group, with Andrew Tymms appointed as Board Chair.

Aurizn Group Expands Globally with McR Defence Acquisition and New Leadership

As a leading provider of next generation technology solutions for the sovereign defence partners and critical infrastructure clients, Aurizn has set the stage for significant growth and innovation.
Following the strategic acquisition of McR Defence from the national independent law firm, McCullough Robertson, in August, Brett Sangster has been appointed as the CEO of Aurizn Group, with Andrew Tymms appointed as Board Chair.

Sangster and Tymms bring a unique balance of operational and strategic experience to drive Aurizn’s ambitious vision to deliver state-of-the-art solutions and expand its influence both in Australia and internationally.

Aurizn co-founders, Ganen Ganeswaran and Bjorn Wharff, have stepped into executive director roles, to support Aurizn’s next exciting chapter of growth as a leading provider of cutting-edge technology solutions to the Defence as well as Science and Technology industries.

Group CEO Brett Sangster said: “By merging Aurizn’s advanced STEM, simulation and technology expertise with McR Defence’s commercial consulting, program management and cybersecurity assurance and advisory services, we diversify our capability sets and position ourselves to become a trusted supplier to Defence, Government, Defence Industry and Critical Infrastructure clients.

“We’re excited to partner with Pemba Capital Partners to pursue an ambitious vision for growth that includes supporting major initiatives such as taking critical technologies into AUKUS and allied nations.
“The Defence sector, both in Australia and internationally, presents enormous opportunities for innovation and strategic growth. With ever-evolving advances in speed-to-capability technologies, Aurizn is responding with cutting-edge solutions combining our scientific and engineering know-how to integrate simulation, advance sensing and AI.”

Sangster’s impressive track record includes founding McR Defence as a partner at McCullough Robertson, and holding senior leadership positions including Managing Director at Downer Defence, where he spearheaded its Defence professional services, engineering, construction and maintenance business. His 14 years of military experience, spanning the Australian Army and Special Operations communities, will be key in shaping Aurizn’s trajectory and driving its future success domestically and internationally.

Newly appointed Board Chair Andrew Tymms said he was invested in helping Aurizn grow “by delivering tangible results, innovation and high-impact outcomes for Defence, government and enterprise clients”.
Tymms, a partner in Bain & Company’s Private Equity and M&A practices, has more than two decades’ experience supporting private equity and alternative investment firms globally, bringing extensive expertise and insight to his new role at Aurizn.