Our People
John Grout |
Managing Director
John established Secora’s Australian operations in 2006 and provides expert advice to clients in the resources, utilities and defence industry sectors.
Originally hailing from the UK, John previously held a range of senior executive and operations positions in Europe and the US, primarily in the automotive and defence sectors with a heavy bias in advanced manufacturing and digital capability.
Drawing on this experience, John provides critical advice to clients on industrialisation strategies with particular emphasis on improving operational effectiveness, asset utilisation, cost reduction, technology adoption, organisational design, and Industry 4.0 readiness.
Paul Sheather |
Executive Director – Operations
Paul joined Secora in 2019, drawn to the organisation due to its people and culture, the variety of projects and opportunity for creative problem solving.
Managing Secora’s business operations, Paul utilises his experience in Defence as a Navy Weapons Engineer, along with projects in Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind), Mining (Iron Ore, Coal), Industrial Construction and Power. He enjoys the flexibility, innovation and agility that comes with being part of the Secora team and applying his skills to the intellectual challenges presented on a regular basis.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) degree and a Master of Business Administration.
David Walter |
Executive Director – Innovation & Strategy
David spent close to 27 years as an Engineer Officer in the Royal Australian Navy. Progressing through the ranks he led and served on most of the Navy’s surface platforms. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross, and Navy Commendation (Engineering).
David joined Secora in 2018, having been introduced to the organisation a few years prior, and was impressed by their agile, values-based approach and focus on innovation. Bringing expertise that extends beyond his naval experience to the power and resource sector and large complex infrastructure, he is focused on the integrated strategic management of assets throughout their entire lifecycle from concept to build to operation, and disposal.
In his current role, David is responsible for the future direction of the business and ensuring it supports clients to become industry leaders through the application of current and emerging strategies.
Leanne Mitchell |
Executive Director – Commercial & Finance
Leanne is a Chartered Accountant and the former principal of Number$ Count, a regionally based Chartered Accounting practice which she established and led for over 27 years. Following the sale of the practice, Leanne joined the Secora team in July 2021.
In her many years of accounting practice Leanne has worked with clients from small businesses through to large manufacturing and export operations. More than just a compliance-based accountant, Leanne has a passion for seeing businesses maximise their opportunities and reach their full potential, and during her years in practice she became the trusted adviser for many businesses from start-up to scale-up to sale.
Leanne’s experience and broad expertise includes business management, business plans and structure, asset protection, succession planning, and business tax planning.
Jonathon Gregor |
Executive Director – Strategy & Business Development
For more than 20 years, Jonathon has established and led large-scale change projects for global brands - transforming operations using technology and automation.
After joining Secora in 2020, he now brings this experience to owners and operators of complex assets as our Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development.
Jonathon has a deep strategic advisory background at Accenture, Arthur Andersen and BearingPoint, and in leadership roles in the financial services and energy resources sectors.
His work in hyper-scale projects, international ventures and digital innovation has carried him to Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and built the skills to deliver in the most difficult of circumstances.
Codey Weller |
Operations Manager
After 12 years as a technical sailor with the Royal Australian Navy, Codey joined Secora in early 2022 as a project manager for the Navy’s Master Isolation Dataset (MID) program, which focused on enhancing electrical safety across its fleet of vessels.
Prior to his Defence service Codey spent five years working in data analytics and software development. He also spent time working alongside industry to build and introduce the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) into service in Adelaide.
Codey’s final three years in the Navy saw him focused on operations and human resources, a skillset he now brings to Secora as Operations Manager. He thrives on solving complex issues by integrating people, processes, and systems – and values Secora's culture of encouraging creative solutions for better outcomes.
Dr Ana Kuusk |
Senior Advisor
For over 25 years, Ana has optimised engineering asset management across mining, defence, manufacturing, construction, and utilities by leveraging data, technology and people to enhance maintenance, risk, and investment decisions.
A specialist in engineering asset, technology and data frameworks, Ana integrates and visualises complex data sets to streamline operations. Recognised for reducing inefficiencies and enhancing decision-making, she leads technical teams to enable data-driven strategies.
Her expertise includes I5.0, AI integration, IIoT systems, and SCADA production systems. Ana co-chairs The Asset Institute's Virtual Twin Committee and publishes regularly as an Adjunct at the Industrial AI Research Centre, University of South Australia.
She joined Secora in early 2024, drawn by its values and human-centric approach.
Simon Pulawski |
Engineering Lead – Data & AI
Simon joined Secora in 2023 to focus on developing innovative methods to enhance asset performance for Secora’s clients through technology and artificial intelligence. As Engineering Lead for Data & AI, Simon employs a data-first mindset to help clients gain insights into their operations. This approach empowers Secora’s clients to leverage technology and AI effectively within their existing systems and processes.
Before joining Secora, Simon worked as a mechanical engineer and later transitioned into computer science research, focusing on AI solutions in the defence sector.
Simon was drawn to Secora for its values-driven, client-centric approach and the opportunity to drive innovation and excellence. His curiosity and passion for problem-solving inspire him to explore new ideas and technologies to deliver solutions for Secora’s clients.
Malcolm Nason |
Sales and Product Development
Malcolm has been part of the Secora advisory team since 2017 when he took on a consulting project requiring specialised knowledge in underground logistics. Having held executive positions in the UK, France, Switzerland, Singapore and now Australia, Malcolm brings his engineering and project management skills to clients in the resource, utilities, infrastructure and government sectors. His experience encompasses sales, marketing, R&D and strategic development.
Malcolm enjoys helping businesses identify and achieve business goals, especially while improving efficiency and outcomes.