Board of Directors

John Sugarman founded Australian Maritime Systems Group in January 2000. A professional mechanical engineer and QUT alumni, John served as the General Manager of Engineering for the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) prior to establishing AMS Group. He quickly grew the company and exported its capability internationally to Cambodia, Galapagos islands, Panama, Canada, New Zealand and throughout Australia.

John has held several senior executive positions on international peak body organisations such as the International Association for Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), the sister organisation for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) based in Paris St Germain France. John has overseen the diversification of AMS Group to be an internationally renowned specialist maritime services organisation. John currently serves as AMS Group chairman.

John is a professional director who serves as Chairman of Airservices Australia, and on the boards of Dimeo Group, Western Sydney Airport and AMS Group.

John has a background in professional services and was CEO of the largest law firm in Australia. He served in the executive leadership team of one of the world’s largest law firms in London and was a practising lawyer for many years. John has significant experience in dealing with government, in major projects, in complex systems integration and in digital technology transformation. John has extensive experience in the aviation, infrastructure, maritime, defence and sectors dealing with regulated businesses.

Simon is the Senior Partner at Colinton Capital Partners, a mid-market private equity company. Simon was previously the Managing Director and Global Partner of The Carlyle Group, leading their Australasian operations from 2005 to 2016.

Currently serves on several boards in the role of Director at Dimeo, AMA, Alexium, and Chairman of Palla Pharma. Simon currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at AMS Group.

Peter Jones served in the Royal Australian Navy for forty years and retired in the rank of Vice Admiral. During his sea-going career he commanded the frigate HMAS Melbourne and later the multinational Maritime Interception Force in the Arabian Gulf during the 2003 Iraq War. Peter’s senior shore appointments included Commander Australian Naval Systems Command and within Defence, Head of ICT Operations and finally Chief of the Capability Group.

He is a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. Peter is the President of the Australian Naval Institute and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales (Canberra). He is author of Australia’s Argonauts and Guy Griffiths: The Life & Times of an Australian Admiral.

Gary has a maritime career spanning more than 40 years and has helped shape the maritime industry in Australia and internationally. He was instrumental in introducing compulsory marine pilotage laws for the Torres Strait to protect sensitive marine habitats; effectively setting a legal precedent for international shipping laws.

As Deputy Chief Executive Officer at AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) he oversaw the running of everything from search and rescue, through to aids to navigation and implementing international and national standards for maritime safety.

Gary also spent five years in Paris as Secretary General of IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities). With a strong management and safety background, Gary’s maritime and governance experience positions AMS Group well as it embarks on a period of growth and technological advancements.
Gary is currently serving as Maritime Commissioner at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Gary currently serves as a Non-Executive Director position on the board of AMS Group.