Andrew Nicholls
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Andrew Nicholls Profile/Overview • Andrew has over 25 years experience working in the Defence environment, including 6 years in the Royal Australian Navy. He has been an adviser to three Ministers for Defence on Financial and Budgetary matters, reformation of Acquisition and Logistics organisation, Shipbuilding, Submarines, reform of the DMO and CFO organisations as well as Capability Development. Andrew has worked within DSTO and the Regional Analysis and Modeling Division within the US Defense Department and undertaken substantial work in Canada of air and maritime projects as well as procurement and costing policies. His last role within Defence was Senior Adviser to the Minister of Defence on White Paper and Major Projects, including shipbuilding and submarines. • Costing. Andrew has a breadth of experience in Project life cycle costing, Military preparedness costing and program costing. His experience has included developing Andrew Nicholls individual life cycle costs as part of the project development phase, tender evaluation as Semi-retired well as managing the development of large numbers of estimates. He has experience in the development of costs for the public and private sector. Director (Casual) KPMG • Strategic Planning. Andrew has been a highly respected senior executive supporting strategic planning and execution in Defence, the Private Sector and Political Spheres. Function and Specialisation Andrew recently completed over a year as Senior Adviser to the Minster for Defence on issues of strategy, Defence Industry policy, force structure and project development. In Life Cycle Costing Strategic Leadership, Planning and analysis particular his primary focus was the new White Paper, Force Structure review, Industry Business Case Development policy, Armoured Vehicles, Future Submarines and Future Frigate programs and Joint Project Management Services Strike Fighter program. He worked closely with the Prime Minster’s, Treasurers and Capability Development Finance Minister’s offices in supporting the Minister. Certifications & Professional • Capability Development. Andrew has over twelve years experience in the development Memberships and management of projects and associated programs in Defence Major equipment. He has worked different levels of the development process, including as an Assistant • Member of the International Cost Secretary and time as a political advisor on Capability Development for the Minster for Estimation & Analysis Association (ICEAA). • Graduate Australian Institute of Company Defence. Andrew has been a key advisor on a number of Defence White Papers, Directors particularly in 2009 where he lead costing of all major capability projects and most recent • Master of Defence Studies (University of White Paper where he was the lead in the Minister of Defence’s office. NSW) • Graduate Certificate in Applied Finances. • Certificate IV in Government (Procurement & Contracting) • PRINCE 2 (Foundation) • Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)(University of NSW) Andrew Nicholls Experience – Maritime Sector • (2017) Andrew is working on the development of the updated Project Execution Strategy for SEA 5000 Future Frigate. This strategy will guide the implementation of the project, with a focus on management of key strategic risks. • (2017) Andrew developed the infrastructure business case to support the redevelopment of Techport area to support the future continuous shipbuilding program. • (2016) As part of the First to Second pass activities, Andrew Nicholls assisted the SEA 5000 project develop business case and strategic advice to support strategic planning and reporting to Government. • (2016) Andrew supported the development of the Cabinet Submissions and associated documentation for the Australian Government’s consideration of the Australian Future Frigate Program (SEA 5000) and Offshore Patrol Vessel (SEA 1180) and was primary drafter of First Pass Cabinet Submission for SEA 5000. • (2015-16) As part of the engagement of Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel, Andrew developed independent cost estimate to assist in the cost assurance assessment of these projects. • (2015) Provided costing support to the Department of National Defence in Canada around the potential acquisition of an interim refueling vessel for the Navy. This involved independent analysis and assessment of the acquisition and operating costs of a potential modified vessel. • (2015-16) Andrew provided support to the Canadian Department of National Defence around the acquisition costs of a fleet of new surface combatants. Andrew’s role was to support the development of an independent cost estimate of the fleet of vessels, taking account a range of factors. • (2015) Developed new project cost for long term research program for phased array technology for use within the military environment. He is also developing costs for the integration of advanced software modes on a range of radar systems. • (2015) Andrew completed an independent cost estimate for the Australian Antarctic Division for a new icebreaker. He developed detailed capital and operating costs using a range of tools including world leading parametric estimation and independent research into key cost drivers. • (2014) Provide strategic advice to Minister for Defence (Johnston) on major project acquisition and the White Paper. Andrew was the Senior Adviser to Minister Johnston until the reshuffle at the end of 2014. In this role he provided advice and support to the Minister in the following key areas: - Defence White Paper - Defence Capability Plan and Major Projects - Future Submarine Program - Future Frigate Program - Defence Industry Statement Andrew Nicholls Experience – Air Sector • (2017) – Andrew provided SME support to the Victoria Police Air Wing to support the transition from the current contractual arrangements of their Aviation Capability Program (ACP) to the new arrangements. • (2017) Andrew worked as the Sustainment Affordability manager for the Australian F- 35A project. He is supported the analysis and estimation of through life costs to support the F-35A in Australia including the analysis of potential options to reduce costs. He has developed a model to support modeling of alternative options and investigation of cost sensitivity and uncertainty. • (2017) Andrew lead the development of a whole of life costs for a project to support Army Aviation future requirements. He was also responsible in leading the analysis of the future sustainment and operating costs for a range of options for existing Army aviation capabilities to support senior decision making in Army. • (2016) He developed a model to support Air 7000 to support the Commonwealth financial team manage the Project ledger, asset reporting, and introduction into service. • (2016) Andrew lead a quick look financial analysis of a range of options associated with the future operating costs of managing Australian Army aviation. • (2016) Andrew lead the development of a set of life cycle cost models to support the management of three military helicopter fleets within the Australian Defence Force. These models are being designed to assist in the management decision making of Defence and to support detailed contract negotiations for the sustainment of one of the helicopter fleets. • (2012) Development of Life Cycle Costing Framework for Canadian Government. Andrew lead the costing team responsible for the development of a life cycle costing framework to support the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. In establishing this framework, Andrew and his team examined leading practices and standards across the world, as well as consultations within Defence and Governments globally. This framework was used for the validation of costs for the Canadian Joint Strike Fighter. Andrew was also responsible for adapting this more specific framework for use within the Canadian Department of National Defence for all major complex projects. This report was publically announced by the Canadian Government on 12th December 2012. • (2012) Joint Strike Fighter. Andrew lead the costing team responsible for the independent review of the LCC of the Canadian Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project. He was responsible for assessing costs for the acquisition, operations, sustainment and disposal of the JSF project in Canada. This work involved independent review, consultations across the Canadian Government, including Defence and consultation with other international Defence Departments acquiring the JSF. This report was publically announced by the Canadian Government on 12th December 2012. • (2012) Air Combat Transition Plan. Andrew lead a team to review four options for the delivery of air combat capability in Australia. The total costs of all projects under review was in excess of $200 billion dollars. This work included detailed review of costs, cost drivers and a comparative analysis across aircraft systems. This work was a key input into Defence’s submission to the Defence Minister to identify suitable air combat options. Andrew Nicholls • (2011) Develop a model to cost, and support budget reporting, and forecasting of the C- 17 heavy lift aircraft. This model was developed to be used by the Defence Materiel Organisation to support an ongoing need to estimate cost of the aircrafts operations and report actual expenditure against budgets. The tool captured a range of Australian and U.S. data sources, provided costed outputs to support budget and forward estimate planning. • (2009) Andrew undertook a costing for the provision of aircraft