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Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Talent 🚀 Earlier this month, Nova Systems proudly exhibited at the STEM Women Careers Event in London, joining a diverse mix of organisations committed to empowering future STEM leaders. This gathering brought together companies from across industries, giving us a unique opportunity to stand out as a leading technology and engineering partner in the Aerospace and Defence sector. We connected with attendees from a wide range of disciplines: aerospace, mechanical engineering, software engineering, operations and project management. It was inspiring to meet so many passionate women eager to learn more about Nova and the career pathways we offer. Our presence at this event reflects Nova’s commitment to strengthening early careers pathways and building a diverse workforce, championing professional growth, flexibility, and inclusion across the UK and beyond.
We were proud to showcase our group-wide capabilities as part of the prestigious Team Defence Australia pavilion at DSEI UK 2025 last week. Being part of this collaborative stand was more than just a presence - it was a celebration of Australian innovation, heritage, and strategic partnerships. The pavilion brought together a diverse group of Australian organisations, united under a shared commitment to defence and security excellence and global engagement. A huge thank you to Team Defence Australia for hosting us. It was an honour to stand alongside fellow industry leaders and represent our global company - and Australia - on the international stage.
Nova Systems International took home the People Development Award at the Aviation Industry Awards - we couldn’t be prouder! 🗣️ “We’re delighted to have been recognised by the UK Aviation Industry for our commitment to People Development. This award is a reflection of our incredible employees, who continuously invest in their own growth, not just for personal development, but to drive our business forward - I feel proud to lead in an organisation where developing our people is a priority. On behalf of everyone at Nova Systems International, we’re honoured to be named best in class from such a competitive shortlist.” – Abi Mitchell, Head of People at Nova Systems International. Our thanks to the judging panel for recognising the work we’re doing to help elevate and celebrate our people.
📣✈️ Project update from our team in Norway ✈️📣 🗣️ “Nova Systems have successfully completed the Tactical Air Transport phase of our Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) programme, enabling 335 Sqn of the Royal Norwegian Air Force to deploy their Block 8.1.1 upgraded C130J Hercules aircraft on the European Tactical Airlift Program exercise (ETAP-C) in Spain this month. After ensuring new aircraft features could be exploited safely to conduct strategic airlift and tactical operations, we are incredibly pleased that the Block 8.1.1 aircraft can be operationally tasked for missions, and approval to proceed with a tactical campaign to complete the Block 8.1 OT&E programme which will cover Air Land, Air Drop and tactical low flying, in both daylight and using night vision goggles. The programme so far has been highly successful, and the Nova team have enjoyed a close and productive integration with 335 sqn and their OT&E crew. Plus operating from Gardermoen and flying across such stunning terrain has been fantastic experience for me, and our Test and Evaluation team in Norway. Nova Systems are rightly proud of our established expertise in Flight Test and Evaluation, and we look forward to continuing to help delivery capability for our Norwegian customers” – Tom Whittingham, Senior Operational Systems Consultant, Fixed Wing Program.
📣 ANNOUNCEMENT: Board Appointment 📣 Australian defence industry leader Christine Zeitz has been appointed to the Nova Systems Board as a Non-Executive Director. Christine brings a wealth of Board and global defence, security and ICT expertise to the Nova team. Nova Systems Board Chair, Kenneth Williams, said Christine is a trusted and respected leader who is known for her commercial acumen and collaborative approach to drive growth. “Christine is an asset to the Nova team and will be a great contributor as we continue our growth path as Australia’s largest privately-owned Defence company with global reach,” Ken said. Christine said she was delighted to join the team at Nova Systems and is committed to ensure it provides a strong partnership and value to Allied Defence Forces. “Nova Systems has always been a trusted friend to businesses that I have led, and I am looking forward to working with the Board, our CEO Dean Rosenfield and the Nova team for success into the future,” she said. Christine’s experience includes Chief Executive Northrop Grumman Australia and Leidos Australia, Vice President & Managing Director Lockheed Martin Australia and President - North East Asia BAE Systems. Christine is Deputy Chair SBS Australia Board, Chair of Defence Trailblazer and previously on the Port Adelaide Football Club Board, CEDA, SA Economic Advisory Board, and Centre for Defence Industry Capability.
Nova's Employee Conference has been part of the culture since the company began more than two decades ago. The Nova Systems International team recently came together in the magisterial surrounds of Windsor Castle at the Castle Hotel for two days for a conference and NOVA FEST our annual gala dinner ! With people based around the UK and beyond, plus our people often solving challenges for our clients on sites, it's important to Nova to bring everyone together to connect and align on the company goals. Our annual Nova Connect conference is the embodiment of this ideal – a place where we bring our people together to celebrate our skills, to reward and recognise the fantastic work we’re doing, and to look forward together and meet the challenges of the future, head on. The event was topped off with a scavenger hunt and a sunset boat trip to the amazing Windsor Racecourse, where we hosted our Conference Gala Dinner "Nova Fest." John Volanthen was our keynote speaker. John’s incredible story in the rescue of twelve Children and their Football Coach in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand was incredibly inspiring. His immense fortitude and bravery reaffirmed the importance not only of critical, lifesaving skills, but of how operators can come together across boundaries, across languages and across cultures for the good of others.
33.65 MILLION steps! 🚶♀️ That was the combined total achieved by Novans who took part in our Steps Challenge over the past three months. We hit our intended goal of walking the distance between our UK office in Bristol, UK, to our headquarters in Adelaide, Australia, (via our key locations Shannon, Stavanger and Singapore), and did so with a few million steps to spare. The Steps Challenge is about encouraging our people to prioritise their health and wellbeing in a way that’s both accessible, fun and a little bit competitive. Congratulations to Team Brennan on winning the "Golden Boot", showing that when a team comes together, anything is possible! They managed to gather momentum towards the latter end of the competition and overtook Team Gareth at the final hurdle. A huge well done to Gary Deakin for taking the overall individual title, with a special mention to Fraser Anderson and Ryan Tonkin for taking the silver and bronze medals. Project Management Consultant and Steps Challenge organiser Juliette Williams said: "My thanks again to everyone at NSI for getting involved, for taking the time to focus on their health and for celebrating this milestone! It was great to see a healthy dose of team spirit and camaraderie (and a little competitive chit chat) towards the end too. It’s what makes the effort in organising worthwhile.”
Nova Systems International has been awarded Part 21G Production Organisation Approval and Part 145 Maintenance Organisation Approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Making use of our new integration facility in Corsham, UK, these approvals pave the way for us to produce our own aerospace grade wiring harnesses and installation kits in support of both integrated mission systems projects - and as a direct service to external customers. Additionally, the Part 145 Approval enables us to provide mission systems customers with a leading, single-point of responsibility through-life support package that oversees the maintenance and repair of the system equipment, tailored to end-user and aircraft availability requirements. In combination with our existing EASA Part 21J Design Organisation and our EC135 UK CAA Part SPO helicopter operations, these new approvals underline Nova Systems’ credentials as a leading aerospace systems integrator and flight test partner. Nova Systems International Managing Director, Gareth Dyer, said: “The establishment of these approvals enable us to reduce risk and cost for our mission system customers, to provide a comprehensive package of support over the long term, and to expand our offering to the market with our production and maintenance capabilities.”
In a giant leap for Australia’s space industry, the AROSE team Lunar Rover prototype was unveiled in Canberra today. Weighing just 20kg and measuring the size of a large suitcase, the lunar rover will be operated remotely to collect soil, ice and other samples from the moon’s surface. It has been designed by a team of engineers and scientists from the AROSE consortium, which includes partners Nova Systems, Fugro and many other contributors. Lead engineer, Dr Sarah Cannard, said she was incredibly proud of the team and journey to date. "The dedication, innovation, and collaboration that have brought us to this point are nothing short of extraordinary,” she said. “This rover represents not just a technological achievement but a testament to what we can accomplish together." AROSE CEO Leanne Cunnold said: “Importantly, we’re also inspiring the next generation of Australians to take up STEM subjects at school and university and developing our national space sector workforce.” AROSE is one of two successful teams chosen for Stage 1 of the Australian Space Agency’s flagship Trailblazer program. The Lunar Rover has been developed to collect lunar soil and gain new information about the moon’s surface via a NASA-science payload. This is a critical step to supporting a sustainable human presence on the Moon, Mars and beyond. Nova’s role on this landmark project includes systems engineering, safety assurance, integration and test – including ensuring the lunar rover
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to highlight the achievements and contributions of women, but also importantly the challenges faced by women in our industry. Women play an invaluable role in shaping our organisation and broader community. We are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace where every individual, regardless of gender, feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive. Let's celebrate the achievements of women, advocate for gender equality, and continue working together to create more inclusive workplaces and a more inclusive industry for all.
