Our People
Andrew Drake
Chief Executive Officer
Mr Drake has been General Manager and recently the Chief Executive Officer of the premerger Hughes business. He joined the Company 6 years ago in 2006.
For the previous 16 years he held managerial and business development roles with Dyno Nobel, the world’s second largest explosives supplier.
Bob Hughes
Executive Director
Bob started Hughes Drilling and brings over 25 years experience in the Drilling Industry.
Paul Brenton
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Paul joined Hughes Drilling in 2010 and has 16 years experience in accounting, corporate finance and commerce.
Prior to joining Hughes Drilling Paul held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Buildev Group where he was responsible for the group's internal and external reporting, management of finance, insurance and IT whilst ensuring control and reporting systems were timely and accurate.
Paul started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers working across a range of business sectors and industries. His focus extended to clients based in mining, manufacturing and construction while honing his expertise within the audit, business recovery and transaction services divisions. Paul also worked out of the PricewaterhouseCoopers London office.
Paul is a member of the Certified Practicing Accountants of Australia.
Robert Hackett
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Mr Hackett has over 25 years experience in resource services/multinational oil & gas services, project finance, investment banking and construction. For over 10 years he was firstly the chief executive of a South East Asia/Australasian oil & gas drilling services business and subsequently a Middle East based multinational oil & gas well site services business with operations in 12 countries, over 5,000 employees and revenue of approximately US$500 million.
Mr Hackett has a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Masters of Business Administration from IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.".
Geoff Bruce
Non Executive Director
Mr Bruce was the former finance director and CFO of Downer EDI Limited from 1997 to 2007. Throughout that period he was intimately involved in the successful acquisition, financing, expansion and development of the businesses which collectively make up Downer EDI. Immediately prior to that he was CFO of Century Drilling Limited.
Mr Bruce has a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in economic and financial studies) from Macquarie University and has been a Chartered Accountant since 1984, 12 years of which was spent in public practice (both in Australia and Canada), working for a diverse range of clients, particularly in the oil and gas, contract drilling and construction industries.
Barry O'Connor
Non Executive Director
Mr O'Connor has in excess of 40 years experience in successfully promoting and marketing of premium mining, drilling and comparable products in the Australian market. He has a deep understanding of production planning and engineering. From the mid 1980's he headed the rotating equipment division of BTR Nylex. He subsequently was Australian Area Manager for and a director of Sullair Pty Ltd, the international manufacturer of industrial compressors and other equipment. He headed Sullair's construction and mining divisions until 2007.