Leadership

The Minister for Defence, The Hon Richard Marles MP(Opens in a new tab/window) is responsible for the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).

Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO RAN

Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead is the inaugural Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency. Prior to taking up this position Vice Admiral Mead led the Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce, within the Department of Defence. The Taskforce worked with the United States and United Kingdom to identify the pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines.

Vice Admiral Mead joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1984. On completion of initial training, he commenced Mine Clearance Diving and Explosive Ordnance training; and served as Executive Officer of Clearance Diving Team One. In 1993, he trained as a Principal Warfare Officer, which was followed by sea postings as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer of HMAS Ships Melbourne and Arunta, and Executive Officer of HMAS Arunta.

In 2005, Vice Admiral Mead assumed the position as Commanding Officer of the frigate HMAS Parramatta. He saw active service in the North Arabian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst, with the ship’s efforts recognised with a Meritorious Unit Citation in 2007 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his exceptional service in warlike conditions. During 2007, Vice Admiral Mead undertook studies at the National Defence College of New Delhi and was appointed Australia’s Defence Adviser to the Republic of India.

In 2010, Vice Admiral Mead returned to Canberra to take up the position as Director Naval Personnel Policy. Following his promotion to Commodore in July 2011, he deployed to Bahrain as Commander of Combined Task Force 150 (Maritime Counter Terrorism) on Operation Slipper, and was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service.

On promotion to Rear Admiral in January 2015, he spent the next three years as the Head of Navy Capability in Canberra. From January 2018 to November 2020, Vice Admiral Mead served as Commander of the Australian Fleet. In June 2020, Vice Admiral Mead was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for his service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior management and command roles. Upon promotion to Vice Admiral in November 2020, he assumed the position as Chief of Joint Capabilities and Command of Joint Capabilities Group.

In September 2021, he was selected as the Chief of the Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce, and from 1 July 2023 he commenced as the inaugural Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency.

Vice Admiral Mead holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations, a Master’s Degree in Management, and a PhD in International Relations. He has published a book on Indian national security.

Alexandra Kelton

Alexandra Kelton is an experienced senior leader in defence strategy, policy, and international engagement. She currently serves as Deputy Director-General Strategy, driving strategic initiatives and shaping policy frameworks that support Australia’s national security objectives.

Previously, Alexandra led the Policy, Strategy and Engagement Division and managed the International Policy and Agreements Division within the Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce. She also served as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Defence (2019–2021) and has held multiple senior roles across the Department of Defence, including Assistant Secretary Defence Industry Policy and Assistant Secretary Media & Corporate Communications.

Her career spans more than a decade in international policy, where she advanced Australia’s security interests through the Australia–United States Alliance and bilateral defence cooperation. Alexandra has also worked outside the public service as Senior Government Relations Adviser at SBS.

Alexandra’s Education & Professional Development experience include Nuclear Technology for Marine Propulsion from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Program, University of Oxford, Company Directors Course, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations and Public Administration, University of Sydney.

Outside of work, Alexandra is passionate about the horse racing industry and enjoys owning and breeding racehorses.

Tim Hodgson CB MBE

Tim Hodgson joined the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) in January 2024 as the Deputy Director-General Technical leading the delivery of the technical program requirements across all phases of the capability life cycle. Tim will oversee the establishment of the technical governance arrangements, processes and agreements to ensure the ASA is governed to the highest standards of Nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

Tim brings with him a wealth of experience working with, and serving on nuclear submarines with the UK Navy over a 41 year career.

In July 2016 he was promoted to Rear Admiral as Director Submarine Capability in the newly formed Defence Nuclear Organisation. He was Senior Responsible Officer for the Dreadnought, Astute, and Core Production Capability programs.

He was awarded Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 2020. In July 2021 he became Director Nuclear Technology and was the UK Ministry of Defence lead for the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership.

Promoted to Commodore in September 2012, Tim was appointed as Head of the In Services Submarines Programme Team responsible for the delivery of safe available submarines, the submarine rescue capability and the arrangements for submarine disposal. In March 2015 he joined the Ministry of Defence as Head of Nuclear Capabilities, delivering capability management of the Strategic Nuclear Deterrent, including submarines, missiles, warhead, propulsion, and disposal of nuclear submarines.

Promoted to Commander in 2000, he worked in capability programs, and then led the Nuclear Propulsion Capability Study 2003-2004 before joining the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator as Principal Inspector Nuclear Reactor Plant. In 2006, on promotion to Captain, he served in Navy Command Headquarters and led the Royal Navy Transformation Programme. In July 2007 he was appointed the Navy Command Chief Submarine Engineer, where he served for three years before appointment as the Future Submarine Chief Engineer (Marine Engineering) responsible for the design and integration of all marine engineering systems for the UK’s successor ballistic missile submarine.

Tim joined the Royal Navy in January 1982, and went on to study engineering at Cambridge University. On completion of his nuclear specialist courses he served in the Polaris submarines HMS RESOLUTION and HMS REVENGE.

As a Russian interpreter, he was appointed as the Assistant Naval Attaché in the British Embassy Moscow at the end of 1994. In 1997 he returned to sea as Chief Engineer in HMS TRENCHANT. As a result of his handling of an engineering defect whilst on-board he was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in 2000.

Tim is a graduate of the UK Advanced Command and Staff Course and has a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College London. He has also completed the Major Projects Leadership Academy at Said Business School, Oxford University. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Tim is married to Jane and they are currently living in Canberra having relocated from London. He is a keen rugby union spectator and enjoys cycling, skiing and long distance hiking.

David Johnson

David Johnson is the DDG responsible for delivering Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine capability. His remit includes the delivery of Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West), the acquisition and operationalisation of Virginia Class and SSN-AUKUS platforms, alongside the development of supporting systems and programs critical to sustaining this capability.

David has formal qualifications in engineering, science and business.

With over 32 years of experience across the Defence, infrastructure, Oil & Gas and energy sectors, David brings deep expertise in major project engineering and delivery. He has previously delivered complex programs and major project portfolios requiring the coordination of engineering service providers, major international contractors and suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

David has held senior executive roles at Origin Energy, AGL Energy, and most recently was the Australian CEO of EDF (Electrictite` de France), one of the largest global operators of nuclear power plants.

In addition to project delivery, David has extensive operational asset leadership experience from the Oil & Gas and power generation sectors with a strong focus on safety leadership and performance.

David has extensive commercial experience from completing a variety of project and asset acquisitions and divestments, developing procurement and contracting strategies and has held governance roles as both an executive and non-executive company director.

David gained his submarine experience during the Collins submarine program where he worked for a major OEM and design authority. He installed the weapon discharge systems to submarines 1-4, completing extensive sea trials and was on board each submarine for its first deep dive.