Success is to grow

Executive Team

Matthew Wilson, CEO

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Matthew is a successful technology entrepreneur with almost 20 years’ experience developing and commercialising cyber and ICT technologies.

Matthew is an experienced business strategist with international credentials. He led a team that built an award-winning cyber security business acquired by US defense contractor, Northrop Grumman, in 2012. Matthew also led a team that built a disruptive SaaS company which became part of US listed Mitel in 2015. In 2019, he exited a sports technology firm to a leading cycling brand.

In 2019, Matthew was awarded EY Entrepreneur of the Year for NSW and ACT, and the 2019 Pearcey Award for technology entrepreneurship in the ACT.

In 2020 Matthew received a highly commended in the Male Champion of Change category at the AWSN (Australian Women in Security Network) Awards.

Sarah Bailey, CFO

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Sarah is an accomplished finance and business executive with over 20 years’ experience in finance, strategy and governance.

Sarah joined Penten from EY where she consulted to federal government agencies on finance transformation. Sarah is Penten’s CFO and Company Secretary and was recently invited to join the Penten Board of Directors.

She previously held senior financial roles at Australia Post and National Australia Bank where she managed the transformation of finance operations, plus all financial and regulatory reporting of the National Australia Bank. Sarah also founded a successful CFO advisory for SMEs in Australia.

Sarah is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Chartered Accountant. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in Commerce (Accounting) and Arts (Psychology), and a Graduate Diploma of Business Leadership.

Ben Whitham, General Manager - Applied AI

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Ben founded three of Australia’s most awarded cyber security and engineering firms.

After transitioning from the Australia Defence Force, Ben successfully founded three of Australia’s most awarded cyber security and engineering firms: AGIS, M5 Network Security, and now Penten.

Through these businesses, Ben worked with Australian government and commercial cyber incident response teams to protect against theft from external and internal threats. He now works on machine learning techniques to help these organisations detect threats using cyber deception. Ben also teaches cyber deception at UNSW, and is the Australian Chapter lead for the Honeynet Project.

In 2019, Ben was named the inaugural Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year.

Joss Parsons, General Manager - Operations

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Joss is an accomplished strategic and operational Executive with experience in key industries including Government and Defence, Resources, and Maritime and Aviation.

Joss has experience operating within fast-paced environments, prioritising and managing multiple projects and responsibilities with high change and high complexity.

Merik Karman, Chief Technology Officer

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Merik has over 35 years’ experience with electronics, industrial design, IT, cyber security, secure communications systems, and software engineering (mainly with Defence).

Merik is a recognised leader in mobile security systems architecture. In 2015, he won the esteemed Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia, sponsored by Defence Science and Technology (DST).

He has founded a number of businesses in his career; notably iSecure (acquired by Verizon) and M5 Network Security (acquired by Northrop Grumman).

Merik inspires engineers to create new, world-class technology innovations. He is an effective communicator, equally comfortable communicating complex concepts to Defence leadership and technical experts.

Kristian Howard, General Manager - Tactical Communications Security and Acting General Manager - Delivery Services

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Kristian is a successful executive with over 20 years’ experience in leadership positions within government and industry.

Kristian’s career includes appointments in Australian Defence and Defence Industry, the US Department of Defense (Army), and NATO.

He has worked across a wide range of technology specialisations, with a strong background in telecommunications, engineering development, systems engineering, and program and operations management. He has a proven record of technical, interpersonal and engagement skills, and has successfully guided teams to accomplish complex modernisation tasks in challenging environments.

Kristian is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Master of Systems Engineering, a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems (Honours), and a range of industry certifications.

John Hendry, General Manager - Secure Mobility

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John has over 30 years’ experience in the IT industry and is highly skilled in advancing projects from idea to implementation.

John has founded multiple leading internet, telecommunication and cyber security development organisations.

He has delivered complex security, network and communications solutions to government and industry, and is part of the founding group of Penten.