Jeff Connolly serves as Executive Director and CEO of Thales Australia, a premier provider of products, systems, solutions and services in the global defence, security, space, aerospace and civil digitalisation markets. With a background as the Executive Chairman and CEO of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, he is known for his leadership in advancing the uptake of automation and digitalisation technologies applied to Australian infrastructure, manufacturing and process industries. He chaired both the Australian Government’s Industry 4.0 taskforce and the University Research Commercialisation Scheme expert panel. Jeff was also an advisor to NSW Government’s Industry Policy White Paper. He has been appointed Chair of the AEA Advisory Board where he brings a wealth of experience in research translation and commercialisation related to the National Reconstruction Fund's priority areas.