“Be Yourself” says Commodore Mike Deeks
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Mike Deeks CSC, Group Managing Director, Blue Ocean Marine Tech Systems Pty Ltd
Mike assumed the role of Group MD of Blue Ocean Marine Tech Systems (BO-MTS) in September 2021. BO-MTS is a proudly Western Australian company servicing the offshore energy and defence sectors in Australia and the UK, utilising disruptive persistent uncrewed autonomous underwater vehicles fitted with an array of mission specific sensors.
Prior to joining BO-MTS, Mike was based in London as the Western Australian Agent General. Mike’s role was to represent Western Australian interests and promote Western Australia, throughout the UK, Europe and Israel, as a great place for investment, trade, research and development, education, training, and tourism.
Mike had a 32-year naval career including command of three Oberon class submarines and the Fleet Replenishment ship, HMAS Success. His last role in the Royal Australian Navy was as the Commander of the Australian Submarine Group and the Senior Defence Officer in WA. He retired in the rank of Commodore in 2005.
Awards include the Conspicuous Service Cross, the Australian Service Medal (Special Operations clasp), the Defence Force Service Medal (three bars) and the Australian Defence Medal. He is a Freeman of the City of London.
Mike has a wealth of experience in Marine and Defence Industries, previously holding senior executive roles with L3 Nautronix, Raytheon and Civmec.
Mike is currently a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Governance Committee for Parkerville Children and Youth Centre, a NFP organisation.
Past Board roles include Non-Executive Directorships with the Pilbara Ports Authority and Dampier Port Authority, Deputy Chair of the Governing Council of Challenger Institute, member of the WA State Training Board, Chair of Stepping Stones Child Development Centre, member of the Menzies Australia Institute Advisory Board, Kings College, London, and member of the Britain Australia Society Advisory Board.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Management from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (NSW). He is a Graduate (with Distinction) from the US Naval War College (Newport, RI) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mike is very happily married to Jenny and they have three wonderful children and six delightful grandchildren. Mike’s pastimes and other interests include sailing (having completed four Sydney to Hobart yacht races), walking, bike riding, family times, attempting to play the bagpipes (it only has nine notes – how hard can it be!!), reading and practicing his Christian faith.