About

Our Management Team

Steven Smith

Managing Director
Steven Smith

Steven brings a wealth of manufacturing, engineering and project management experience across all sectors to Advitech. As Managing Director, he has overall responsibility for Advitech’s consulting services in engineering design, project management, risk management, functional safety, sustainability and environmental management. He also provides oversight of Advitech’s partner companies – Novecom, Acubis and SMS – in his role as Managing Director of Emergent Group.

With a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical – First-Class Honours), Steven’s specific areas of expertise include problem analysis, feasibility investigations, engineering assessments, risk management, project development and project management.

Steven is actively involved in the support of engineering-based manufacturing in the Hunter Region. He has been Chairman of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards since 2017. His involvement with HunterNet has included Director (1998-2006) and Chairman (2001-2003). He is also a member of the Course Advisory Committee for the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Newcastle.

Glenn Platt

Executive Director (Emergent Group) – Strategy and Innovation
Glenn Platt

Glenn is an influential leader with an international reputation in the energy, clean technology and R&D sectors. As Executive Director – Strategy and Innovation, Glenn is tasked with identifying how Emergent Group’s world-class engineering and science expertise can be brought to solve the biggest challenges of Australia’s industries.

He has 20 years in the renewable energy and clean-technology sectors, on topics ranging from grid operations, to energy storage, energy efficiency, microgrids and solar energy. He has held executive positions and advisory roles for several technology and engineering firms, and has founded multiple start-up companies involved in the development of new energy technologies.

Glenn has led project teams from engineers to economists and provided a broad range of advice and technology solutions, leading many Australian clean technology firsts – including first virtual power station, first flow battery deployment, and first vehicle-to-grid project.

Through his leadership, advisory roles and development of new energy technologies, Glenn has made significant contributions to governments and businesses around the world. Throughout his career, Glenn has received multiple awards including Australia’s Mission Innovation Champion, Australian Financial Review Young Executive of the Year as well as medals for Entrepreneurship and Environmental Achievement.

Paul Reynolds

Chief Operating Officer
Paul Reynolds

Paul has over 20 years of experience in the engineering and manufacturing sector including design, project management, business management and strategic leadership.   

Paul is an active member of Engineers Australia having held several positions including Division President, National Congress Rep, Mechanical College Board Rep and Mechanical Branch Chair. Currently Paul is a Division Committee member, Chair of the Education Committee, Newcastle Chief Judge and sits on Engineers Australia’s Accreditation Board.  

Paul seeks to strengthen links between industry, education, research and government. To this end he sits on the University of Newcastle Mechanical and Mechatronics Industry Advisory committee and is a past chair of that body. Paul is also a board member of Regional Development Australia Hunter. 

Paul received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with honours class 1 from the University of Newcastle and holds a Diploma of Management from the Australian Institute of Management.  

Andrew David

Commercial Manager / Principal – Projects
Andrew David

Andrew has over 35 years’ experience in project and contract management, including complex engineering tender submissions and contract negotiation.

He has held technical and senior management roles across a diverse range of industries including explosives delivery, coal handling equipment, telecommunications equipment and services, water and wastewater treatment, major defence equipment and aerospace manufacturing.

Andrew has strong and positive communication skills on both technical and commercial aspects of projects. This, combined with his exceptional negotiation skills, ensures the project team achieves excellent results – on-time and within budget.

Craig Wellings

Manager – Environment
Craig Wellings

Craig is an Environmental Scientist with over 30 years of combined environmental and geotechnical experience, having successfully delivered projects to international scale. He has a strong consulting background in contaminated land, site remediation, hazardous materials, waste and design and approvals, from varied industry sectors.

Craig has demonstrated performance in commercial/technical sector management, client and regulator relations, and successful execution of all parts of the project life cycle, including technical and commercial delivery, maximisation of HSE and environmental outcomes, regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement.

As Advitech’s Manager – Environment, Craig ensures the environment team apply the highest levels of efficiency, innovation and technical and regulatory rigour in the support provided to our diverse and growing client base.

Abby Yates

Manager – Sustainability
Abby Yates

Abby is an accomplished environmental scientist and quality leader with vast corporate and operational experience (nationally and internationally) in sustainability, energy, environment, and quality management.

Her strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills have enabled Abby to help businesses comply with ESG obligations, and reduce their environmental and social impacts by applying new technologies or implementing improvement policies and strategies. Abby specialises in engineering and scientific service delivery to improve access to secure, sustainable and affordable energy.

With a strong background in Environment, Social and Governance issues, Abby will help our clients reduce their environmnetal impacts and achieve their net zero targets and sustainability strategies.

Phil Howlin

Principal Mechanical Engineer
Phil Howlin

Phil has delivered mechanical engineering and design services to industrial and materials handling projects for almost 20 years.

As a Reliability Engineer, he significantly improved run time of equipment through precision maintenance and making small design improvements. Phil joined Advitech following three years as an Associate Lecturer where he was awarded a Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award for innovations in education, and continues to teach a guest lecture on industrial applications of Finite Element Analysis.

His communication skills combined with his industry experience enable Phil to lead a team which provides solutions for clients in mining, minerals processing, materials handling, chemicals processing, and defence sectors.

Alan Cross

Principal Risk and Functional Safety Engineer
Alan Cross

Alan is a chartered electrical and risk engineer with a strong background in control systems, risk management and compliance. His exceptional communication and interpersonal skills enable him to facilitate risk assessments, identify and deliver continuous improvement projects and ensure regulatory compliance.

Alan joined Advitech in 2019, having spent the majority of his career with Rio Tinto in engineering, specialist risk and performance improvement roles in alumina and heavy haul rail. His knowledge of mining and minerals processing operations, including alumina and zinc processing, combined with his experience as a risk and assurance advisor allows him to succeed in this Risk and Functional Safety role.

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