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’.

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.

Rob joined EPE in April 2021.  He brings a mix of military and corporate experience, having spent twenty years with the Royal Marines and the Australian Defence Force and three as a transformation project manager within the financial sector.  He has a Master’s degree in project management and has worked on a variety of projects to deliver business improvement and implementation of new capabilities.   He brings a collaborative approach that is focused on integrating and aligning ideas across functional areas.

Robs earlier career with the Royal Marines saw him undertake operational deployments to Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He subsequently focused on amphibious operations, most recently in development and employment of the Australian amphibious capability.  His corporate experience is as a transformation project manager with JPMorgan and Lloyds banking group in the UK, where he worked on strategic transformation and business improvement projects.

Jeremy Martin joined EPE in July 2021 with over 17 years’ experience in high-growth Aerospace and Defence technology companies.

He is an international business development professional and program manager with a demonstrated record of leadership and success.

He has spent the past 10+ years as a regional director, building channel partnerships and developing robust supply chains throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He has deep technical expertise in CBRN protection systems for ground and naval platforms, and well as deployable infrastructure solutions.

Jeremy holds a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, Masters in Business Administration, and a Masters in Information Systems. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute. He lives with his family in SE Queensland.

Ben Sorensen joined EPE in August 2022 and brings over 26 years of commercial experience to EPE. Ben leads EPE Innovation and is focused on delivering game-changing capabilities and competitive advantage for Australia.

Ben has led commercial R&D activities for CSIRO’s Data61, with responsibility for enterprise, defence and national security collaborations. He has worked extensively with defence research and development, including with the ADF, DSTG, DARPA, US Army and defence and aerospace Primes to develop and commercialise capabilities in robotics, autonomous systems, cyber security, data, AI and analytics. Most recently Ben was an executive and board director of the $100 million Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre. 

Earlier, Ben established and operated the Queensland Innovation Hub with PwC and the Queensland Government, and taught corporate venturing and disruptive innovation leadership at the QUT Graduate School of Business. He has been a member of public company executive teams (ASX:AAC, ASX:GOW), and has consulted to investment funds and investee companies. Ben has established and run intellectual property and manufacturing businesses, raised capital, and has been commercial manager for a global technology business.

Outside of EPE, Ben advises boards, invests in impact-focused technology start-ups, and has been a judge for innovation for the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards since 2015.  

Ben is an author and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  

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.

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.

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 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.

David joined the EPE team in October 2020 as a dedicated Specialist Trainer. Over 13yrs David has had extensive experience within the Royal Australian Engineer Corps as a High-Risk Search Team Commander and an Explosive Ordnance Technician. He has experience over all aspects of Search and EOD including Conventional Munition Disposal, Counter IED Operations, CBRN and Manual Access Render Safe. David’s experience includes deploying on Military Operations Overseas and at home in a Domestic role.

David has spent the last few years within the Training and Certification Cell at 6ESR, 20 EOD SQN. Here he was in the lead for training and preparation for the ADF EOD Operational Capability. Designing and executing exercises, implementing upskill courses, Tri-Service Explosive Hazard Awareness Training, IED training aid construction and EOD and High-Risk search certification for members prior to deploying on Operations.

David will be in the forefront of training for EPE. Working with our Capability Managers to introduce the latest equipment into service delivering comprehensive face-to-face and online training Packages, instructing on courses for EOD, CBRN and Search upskilling and designing and constructing realistic and relevant custom made IED training aids solutions.

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

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.

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.

Robbie Wild joined EPE in 2017 after completing a Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering and graduating with honours. He has provided a high level of mechanical and electrical engineering expertise to the team along with developing project management skills utilised in multiple Innovation projects to date. Robbie conducted his undergraduate thesis on using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radar to see through mediums such as grass and walls, for object detection and map augmentation. This created in him the desire to pursue new technologies and focus on innovation which has led to Robbie becoming EPE’s Innovation Engineer.

Jacob joined EPE in July 2021 as a Mechatronics Engineer. Jacob graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics. Since graduating he has worked at CSIRO’s Data61 as an Industrial Trainee and then Mechatronics Engineer with a focus on legged climbing robots. His work in research and development spanned many facets of robotics. Involving mechanical design, electronic systems design, sensor integration and software development. This contributed towards adding the capability for climbing in discontinuous and unknown environments and a new platform with more robust adhesion, capable of carrying greater payloads.

Studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Mechatronics, Sam’s work at EPE focuses on innovation projects and integration of different payloads such as search equipment and CBRNe sensors onto our robotic platforms that are in-service with ADF and Police.

Adam served in the Armed Forces over a total period of 32 years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.  He started with an extensive EOD career with the British Army, subsequently in 2007 he was requested to be part of a project to develop Domestic, Expeditionary, and Special Forces CBRNe, IEDD and EOD capabilities for the New Zealand Defence Force.

Adam Commanded E Squadron 1st New Zealand SAS Regt for over five years, during his 13 year career in the Defence Force he represented New Zealand on FVEY and NATO steering groups, technical working groups and International forums. Adam also deployed overseas supporting Interpol and on Special Forces operations to Afghanistan. Adam took a two year sabbatical in 2009 / 2010 to work in support of the United States Government on Special Forces programs.

In March 2020 Adam was seconded from the Defence Force to the New Zealand Ministry of Health to assist with the outbreak of COVID, during this time he deployed to the Pacific as the Mission Lead for the New Zealand Medical Assistance Team. This situation saw Adam retiring from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel, and consequently taking up the role as Director Emergency Management, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand charged with maintaining the capability and capacity to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from natural, and unnatural threats and crises.

During the span of his military career, Adam undertook a range of roles including Leadership, Command, Operational, Scientific Research & Development, Capability Development, and Capability Delivery roles. Adam has experience on a wide range of operational deploymemts that include:  Humanitarian Aid & Disater Relief (HADR), De-mining, Biological Chemical Radiological Nuclear (BCMD), Trans-National Crime, Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Proliferation, and Intelligence.

Adam has served in many areas of conflict, danger and unrest, he has deployed on complex multi-national, multi-agency operations all over the world, as part of Special Forces, United Nations, OPCW, Interpol. FBI, FVEY & NATO Militaries and Military Intelligence roles. Adam’s operational tour experiences include: several multiple tours of Northern Ireland, multiple tours of Iraq, Hong Kong, Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Columbia, Nepal, Cambodia, and numerous tours of Afghanistan.

Honours and Awards - Adam was awarded the George Medal (GM) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 for his gallantry Bomb Disposal operations, and most recently he was recognised with the award of the Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) on the 2021 Queens Birthday Honours. Adam was also recognised for his counter terrorist work globally with a U.S. Bronze Star, U.S. Army Commendation Medal (ACOM) and three FBI Commendations.

Dale O’Connor brings to EPE a wealth of operational, training, and technical validation / certification experience in the EOD, CIED and C-CBRN fields. Prior to joining the EPE team Dale spent 23 years in the Australian Army as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician and more recently spent time in the UAE as Specialist CBRNE specialist trainer and advisor.

Dale started his career in the Australian Army as a Combat Engineer before specialising in the EOD, CIED and C-CBRN fields. On completion of his EOD training Dale was posted to several specialist units completing multiple overseas and domestic operational deployments with both special operations and conventional forces. Dale spent over decade conducting specialist to theatre training and technical certification of high threat search teams and ADF EOD assets deploying to Afghanistan and for other operational contingencies. Dale specialised in conducting capability development of both specialist EOD equipment and techniques, including commanding several military training teams and operational validation of CIED / EOD police and military capabilities in both Southeast Asia and the South Pacific regions.

On leaving the Australian Army Dale moved to the UAE to take up a role as a specialist CBRNE advisor and trainer for a Ministry of Interior project to enhance their National Counter Terrorist capabilities.

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.

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.

Dean has operational service in the ADF and as a member of the Queensland Police Service Explosive Ordnance Response Team(EORT). He is an experienced EOD Operator and specialist search trainer and has carried out a number of overseas capability building training projects.

Dean manages the EPE MILTECS facilities at Pullenvale and Helidon and coordinates all training and testing activities that occur on the sites.