Warwick Penrose is the Managing Director of EPE, a group of companies providing C-IED, C-CBRN, C-Narcotic, C-Drone, ECM and Deployable Infrastructure capability to our clients in Australia, New Zealand, the US and the wider APAC region. Warwick has been in this role since 2010.
Prior to this (2003-2010) Warwick was employed by Allen-Vanguard, a global C-IED, C-CBRN and ECM technology company and undertook the role of Asia Pacific Manager assisting several countries develop their national C-IED and C-CBRN capability in this region.
Warwick’s gained his foundation C-IED, C-CBRN experience as a former Royal Australian Engineer Officer (Mine Warfare and High Risk Search Instructor, IEDD, EOD, CBRNE and Improvised Nuclear Device Disposal). Warwick assisted with the development of, and later commanded Australia’s first CBRNE Counter Terrorism Disposal Capability. This capability played an instrumental role in securing the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Building on this, in 2002, whilst on an operational tour with NATO in Bosnia Herzegovina, Warwick established the ‘SEARS Foundation’, an NGO created to reduce the high land mine threat from the waterways of that country. His service was recognised by a NATO Commander’s Commendation for re-structuring NATO’s incident management procedures for this theatre, as well as for the establishment of the ‘SEARS Foundation’.
SCOTT CORRIGAN, DIRECTOR CAPABILITY
Scott joined EPE in October 2018 as Director Capability. He is a highly regarded senior executive with over 28 years of proven leadership and management experience in the design, development and implementation of solutions to complex threat environments; capability and training development; and addressing organisational risk challenges.
Scott’s expertise is derived from key operational leadership, management and training appointments spanning 22 years in the Australian Army—most notably the development of specialist EOD, IED and CBRNE capability whilst Commander of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment / Incident Response Regiment during the high operational tempo period 2009 to 2012; and key contributions to the Iraq and Afghanistan theatres of operation during attachment and deployment with the US Joint IED Defeat organisation and the Australian Counter IED Task Force (2007-2009). He then undertook three years as the specialist CBRNE advisor and capability developer within the UAE Presidential Guard (2013 to 2016); and followed this with a two year appointment as the Director Counter Terrorism within the NSW Department of Justice—Office for Police, where he developed strong interstate and Commonwealth relationships for operational capability and policy development for terrorism crisis events.
IAN MASCORD, FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER
Ian has over 25 years Finance experience gained in companies engaged in Project related activities. Ian is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting. Ian manages all Finance and Compliance related activities of EPE.
ANDY CROSS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER,
NEW ZEALAND
Andy joined EPE in August 2016. Previous to joining EPE Andy spent 10 years with the New Zealand Defence Force, managing a team with responsibility for managing procurement, introduction into service and through-life management of the New Zealand Defence Force CBRNE, Combat Engineer, Ground Support and Deployable Infrastructure equipment.
Prior to that Andy spent 8 years as a Sales & Marketing Manager with Marshall Land Systems, a division of the Marshall Group in the UK that designs, manufactures and integrates specialist vehicle shelter and container systems, with responsibility for military export markets. Before that Andy served 22 years in the British Army, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers completing a variety of tours around the world.
This career path has provided, qualifications, skills and knowledge across a wide range of areas including:
Integrated Logistic Support
Programme and Project Management
Business Development
Sales & Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Quality Management
OSH
Personnel Management
Finance
Communication and Diplomacy
SEAMUS O’BRIEN, CAPABILITY MANAGER, TRAINING & EXPLOITATION
Seamus O’Brien joined EPE in November 2010. Seamus brings with him a wealth of operational and training experience in the Counter IED arena. Prior to joining EPE Seamus was the Director of Training at Hazard Management Solutions (HMS) for six years where he designed, developed and often delivered Counter IED related training to military and police forces around the world.
Seamus was responsible for designing the first internationally recognised Weapons Intelligence Team training course that has been delivered to Armed Forces in over twenty countries including USA, Canada and Australia. Prior to working in the commercial sector, Seamus served as an Ammunition Technical Officer in the British Army for 28 years. He has seen operational service in Iraq, Northern Ireland and mainland UK. Seamus also served at the British Army’s IEDD training school, the Felix Centre, on three occasions including two years as the Senior Instructor.
Seamus will be using his wide knowledge of Counter IED operations and training to tailor the EPE consultancy, training and equipment solutions to best meet the needs of our customers.
CHRIS PANTELI, CAPABILITY MANAGER, EOD
Chris Panteli joined EPE after 18 years of service as a Royal Australian Engineer (EOD Tech). Chris joins the team with extensive knowledge in training and a substantial amount of operational experiences including three tours to Afghanistan. Two of these were with Special Operations Command, as an EOD Technician/Manager and as the Squadron Sergeant Major.
The third tour with conventional forces, as the EOD Manager and the SSM.
Chris has successfully designed, developed and delivered training in all areas of EOD, EOR, CIED, ECM (manager), Search (advisor), CBRND (advisor), and Weapons Technical Intelligence (WTI). Chris has also had the opportunity to employ all of these specialist skills whilst on operations. Chris has dedicated over ten years to ensure that all EOD, EOR and Search members are professionally trained and prepared for operations. He has instructed at the School of Military Engineering in Combat Engineering and EOD. His last appointment within the Army was as the lead Observer/Trainer (OT) for 6 ESR, 20 EOD SQN.
Chris will continue to dedicate his time, knowledge and experience to understand requirements of our EPE clients and provide capability to meet these requirements.
IAIN SWAN, CAPABILITY MANAGER
Iain came to EPE in 2011 after 28 years in the military, 24 years in the British Army followed by 4 years in the New Zealand Defence Force. During his military service he was trained and employed as an Ammunition Technician, commissioned in 2003 as an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO).
He has a strong background in all areas of EOD, particularly CBRN matters and served at the British Army School of Ammunition at Kineton as a Biological and Chemical Munitions Disposal Instructor and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Instructor. Iain also commanded the national response CBRNE Troop of the New Zealand Army. He has instructed and undertaken training in CBRN disciplines in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and in New Zealand. Iain has extensive experience of domestic and deployed EOD and CBRN operations in support of civil Police forces and military organisations.
Iain has served in operational EOD/IEDD roles in various countries with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan in Weapons Intelligence roles. While serving in military EOD appointments Iain was involved in the security operations for many large sporting events, party conferences and VVIP protection operations in support of Police forces in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. He has deployed on operations to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Falkland Islands and Central America with training and trials deployments to Africa, Canada and the USA. During his military career he was awarded the Queens Commendation for Bravery and the United States Bronze Star Medal for EOD Operations.
DAVID BYRNE, CAPABILITY MANAGER, ALL HAZARDS
David Byrne comes to EPE with over 14 years of operational service with the Queensland Police Service, most of this time as a Bomb Technician with the Explosive Ordnance Response Team. David has joined the EPE Team with a wealth of experience in both training and operational environments.
David worked in a wide range of policing roles prior to qualifying as a Police Bomb Technician and was previously qualified as a Search and Rescue (Land) Coordinator as well as a Firearms & Conducted Energy Weapon Instructor.
David’s operational experiences were complimented by a wide range of training and advisory engagements, both managing and directing training in the areas of CBR Response, C-IED Operations, Search and Electronic Counter Measures.
David was an active member of several National Working Groups, directing capability and training under the Australia and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC).
David has successfully designed, developed and delivered training in all areas of CIED, ECM (manager), Search, CBR and Person Bourne IED (PBIED) Response. Many of these roles involved developing strong partnerships with other key stakeholder groups such as Fire HAZMAT and Scientific Units, Police Forensic Teams, Tactical and Specialist Military units.
David has also had the opportunity to employ all of these specialist skills whilst responding to incidents within domestic Australia.
David is committed to using his knowledge and experience to understand requirements of our EPE clients and provide capability to meet these requirements.
GEOFF BURCHELL, CAPABILITY MANAGER, SEARCH
Geoff Burchell joins EPE following 14 years of dedicated service in the Australian Army where he specialised in EOD/IEDD, Engineer High Risk Search and CBRND.
As an EOD technician, Geoff has experience across the spectrum of EOD operations including Conventional Munition Disposal, IED, Manual Access Render Safe and CBRN with operational experience across several theatres.
Geoff has a strong background in High Risk Search and threat assessment, skills which underpinned his later career as an EOD Tech. He gained this early experience over two deployments to Afghanistan as an Engineer High Risk Search Team Commander.
Geoff later used these skillsets as an Observer/Trainer (OT) and an instructor in the training and certification process for subsequent rotations of search operators deploying into theatre. He has also been involved in international engagements, providing specialist search advice and training to Australia’s regional neighbours.
Geoff has also contributed to the development of ADF’s EOD capability having undertaken a three-year posting at the Defence Explosive Ordnance Training School as an instructor where he qualified EOD technicians through the provision of training design, development and delivery.
Geoff is dedicated to utilising his time and experience to understanding the client’s specific needs to provide contemporary solutions and capabilities.
GRANT PHILLIPS, CAPABILITY MANAGER, THROUGH LIFE SUPPORT
Grant joined EPE in January 2014 as the Maintenance Manager. Grant is an Electronics Technician with 13 years’ experience in the Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
During his time in the military he specialised in instruments, optics, RADAR, electronic weapons platforms, biomedical engineering, guided weapons and ASLAV control systems.
Grant has vast knowledge of workshop management including operational experience.
Grant was formerly a Field Support Representative for the Australian pacific region for a large communications company. Contracted to HQ 1 Division, Grant trained a diverse range of ADF students in the use of FP-ECM, with a strong focus on the MEAO. Grant brings his technical knowledge to the growing maintenance department to ensure the needs of our customer are met.
KEITH MOLLISON, CAPABILITY MANAGER, ECM & C-UAS
Keith joined EPE following careers in both the UK and Australian Army, specialising in EOD and Counter IED. Keith was commissioned into the British Army in 1983, and was trained as an Ammunition Technical Officer specialising in EOD. He served in numerous operational, training and command appointments within the UK’s EOD and IEDD community.
Working closely with United Kingdom Police Forces, he provided IEDD and other specialist support to major events including the Commonwealth Games and VVIP protection. He commanded the UK’s principal EOD unit (11 EOD Regiment RLC) from 2001-2003.
During his 25 year career in the British Army, Keith also worked at the Defence Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Centre, and as a Lecturer and member of the Directing Staff at the Royal Military College of Science. He led overseas training teams to Zimbabwe and Malaysia, and was Deputy Chief Inspector of an UNSCOM team in Iraq. His final appointment in the British Army was as a Deputy Director of Intelligence within the UK’s Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS).
In 2008, Keith transferred to the Australian Army, where he served as the Chief of Staff to the Australian Defence Force Counter Improvised Explosive Device Task Force (ADF CIEDTF). He contributed to all aspects of the ADF’s Counter IED development, including direct support to troops deployed on operations, and liaison with the Australian Bomb Data Centre.
Keith is a member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI), and a Member of the Institute of Explosives Engineers.
DAVID RYE, PROJECT MANAGER
David Rye joined EPE in April 2015. A highly motivated and well respected military executive, David has extensive experience in strategic level leadership and management positions. This expertise has been developed through 33 years of dedicated service in the Australian Army and through operational experience with international Defence Forces and the United Nations.
Much of David military career has revolved around the CBRNE arena.
A calm and decisive leader, David’s most recent postings saw him as a senior adviser, providing strategic guidance to the Chief of Defence Force, Defence Ministerial staff and Service Chiefs. David was also the Commanding Officer of the School of Military Engineering where he led the development and training of over 800 Army personnel to deliver the combat engineering capability to Army. Encompassing various engineering domestic tasks from construction to disaster relief to counter terrorism.
CRAIG JOLLY, CAPTURE MANAGER, LAND DOMAIN
Craig joined EPE in February 2021 as Capture Manager for the Land Domain. He is a motivated and well-respected military executive with over 35 years of proven experience in complex operational environments. He is renowned for developing innovative solutions to counter emerging threats; developing strategic and operational counter-threat capability and training; and the execution of training in support of operations.
Craig’s expertise is derived from key operational leadership, management and training appointments spanning 35 years in the Australian Army—most notably the development of specialist Chemical, Biological, Radiation, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) defence capabilities as part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). He also developed the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) assessment process and established the CBRNE cell in the Middle East Area of Operations as a member of the ADF CIED Task Force.
Apart from his ADF experience, Craig took long service leave in 2005; during which time he established the Mine Action Centre in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to develop this new capability he worked with US State Department sponsored contractors to establish a demining training school, trained the initial company of deminers and established and executed the first operational demining programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina.