The Chair’s 20 with Linda Dawson

The defence industry is tipped to become the second largest economic driver for the state of Western Australia. Given the significance of this shift, we are pleased to invite you to a Chair’s 20 luncheon with Linda Dawson, Head of the Office of Defence Industries, on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

The AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, together with the expansion of nuclear-powered submarine sustainment and support capabilities at HMAS Stirling, is creating new industrial, workforce, and innovation opportunities right here in Western Australia. Perth and the wider WA defence sector will play a central role in Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability, with significant investment planned for HMAS Stirling and the Henderson Defence Precinct.

Against the backdrop of the economic, industrial, infrastructure, workforce, and innovation opportunities WA stands to gain, Linda will provide updates on key developments shaping the sector’s future, along with insights into how businesses can prepare for defence supply chain participation, invest in workforce capability, and collaborate across industries.

Hosted at Lamont’s Bishops House, the Chair’s 20 offers Committee for Perth’s Gold and Silver members an opportunity for candid discussion in an intimate setting with senior decision-makers.

I hope you will join us for this important conversation and bring your own business and industry expertise to the discussion, as we work together to strengthen Perth’s position as a leading defence and strategic industries centre and create long-term trade, investment and collaboration opportunities for Western Australia.

Our Speaker

Linda Dawson
Head of the Office of Defence Industries

Linda Dawson is a senior executive with more than 25 years’ experience working in large Australian and multinational organisations across the resources and utilities sectors; in the operations, corporate and community development areas. Linda currently holds the position of Head of the Office of Defence Industries in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, having previously held the position of Deputy Director General Industry Science Innovation in the WA Government. She has a strong belief in equality and respect for all in society, learning from our First Nations people, empowering women and giving back to the community.

Linda is currently a Board Member of Workpower, and an Advisory Board Member of both the University of Western Australia Defence Security Institute and the Curtin University School of Business and Law.

Linda holds a Masters of Education and Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Western Australia, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Certified Professional of the Australian Human Resource Institute and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.