Navantia Australia employs people from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. We are committed to growing our local workforce and expanding our footprint.
Currently we have over 260 people across Australia designing and sustaining ships, managing programs and growing our relationship with Australian industry.
Navantia Australia recognises the need to develop future generations to support Australia’s naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry. That’s why we are partnering with Australian universities and technical colleges to sponsor, mentor and train young Australians in the skills our country will need into the future.
We are a proud supporter of Veterans’ employment.
Our Leadership
Executive Committee
Israel Lozano
Managing Director
Israel Lozano was appointed as Managing Director and Vice President of Navantia Australia in May 2021. He is based in Sydney, New South Wales after relocating from Madrid, Spain.
Israel has a good knowledge of Navantia Australia’s operations as prior to this appointment he held the position of International Business Director in Navantia S.A. S.M.E. (parent company) where he was responsible for Navantia’s Business Operations particularly in Australia and Saudi Arabia.
From July 2017 until January 2019, Israel held the position of Naval Vessels Commercial Director, and was involved in negotiations for the signature of five Corvettes for the Royal Saudi Navy and five new frigates for the Spanish Navy among other projects.
Israel joined Navantia S.A. S.M.E in November 1988 and commenced his career in Navantia’s Cartegena shipyard. During this time he was responsible for Submarine Outfitting in the Production Department and participated in tendering for submarine export projects for Malaysia, Australia and India. He held the position of Scorpene India Project Director during his final six years in the shipyard.
In April 2013, Israel relocated to Madrid as part of Navantia’s Commercial Division where he was responsible for the company’s Through-Life Support business for the next four years. Whilst acting in this role, Israel was responsible for several major contract negotiations with the Australian Department of Defence, including the subcontract with BAE Systems Australia for the Through-Life Support for the Royal Australian Navy’s Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks, and the Support Contract for the Royal Australian Navy’s Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Ships.
Israel holds a M.Sc. in Naval Architecture from the University Polytechnic of Madrid and Executive Business Administration by IESE Business School.
Nicolas Sibello Barquin
Chief Financial Officer
Nicolas Barquín is Chief Financial Officer for Navantia Australia since December 2018. He previously held this position from 2013 until 2017 when he returned to Spain to assist with the developing the Navantia Group’s international business interests.
Nicolas started his professional career with Navantia Spain in 1995 as a document controller within the Procurement Department. In 1997 he joined the company’s Financial Department of the civil business in Cadiz, occupying different positions within the organisation. In 2005, he was promoted to Senior Cost Controller. In 2008, Nicolas was appointed as Administration Director of the Navantia Group.
Jamie Gibbs
Chief Operations & Engineering Officer
Jamie Gibbs joined Navantia Australia in September 2017 as Head of Navantia Australia’s Naval Design and Engineering Centre located in Melbourne, Victoria. Jamie was appointed as Engineering Director in May 2020 and Chief Operations Officer in October 2021.
Jamie oversees the Engineering Functional Organisation which provides engineering discipline homes for technical support and peer support, technical capability development, and cross-product view of engineering activities and processes. He has oversight of the sustainment support programs and Navantia Australia’s supply chain.
Cindy Slaven
Chief Business Development Officer
Cindy Slaven assumed responsibility for Business Development in an acting capacity in August 2023 and was officially appointed in December 2023. Cindy is responsible for leading the Australian business development function as well as marketing and communications.
Cindy joined Navantia Australia in August 2017 to lead the marketing and communications activities and was appointed to the Executive Committee in September 2021. She is also a member of the Steering Committee for Marintec, the joint institute of maritime digital technologies formed between Navantia Australia and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Cindy has over 20 years’ experience in leading marketing and communications, project and event management across a wide range of industries including defence, entertainment, construction, international business in both the private and government sectors. She has had a long association with the Royal Australian Navy and has a well developed understanding of the naval maritime environment.
Cindy has a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Business in Marketing from Edith Cowan University. She was recognised as a finalist for the 2022 Australian Women in Defence Communications Professional and the 2020 Australian Defence Industry Marketing Professional of the Year. She is a judge for MARKies 2023 and a panellist for the 9th annual B2B Marketing Leaders Forum to be held in Sydney in May 2024.
James Cowie
Chief Human Resources Officer
James Cowie is responsible for managing Navantia Australia’s growing workforce and developing innovative solutions to meet the growing need for a range of capabilities in the Australian defence maritime industry.
Based at Navantia Australia’s Canberra office, James brings broad human resources expertise to the company with the last 14 years working in Defence companies. James’ expertise ensures Navantia Australia’s workforce of the future best serves the customer and enables the Navantia Australia team to deliver.
James has a passion for the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet and the programs which support it.
Israel Lozano
Managing Director
Israel Lozano was appointed as Managing Director and Vice President of Navantia Australia in May 2021. He is based in Sydney, New South Wales after relocating from Madrid, Spain.
Israel has a good knowledge of Navantia Australia’s operations as prior to this appointment he held the position of International Business Director in Navantia S.A. S.M.E. (parent company) where he was responsible for Navantia’s Business Operations particularly in Australia and Saudi Arabia.
From July 2017 until January 2019, Israel held the position of Naval Vessels Commercial Director, and was involved in negotiations for the signature of five Corvettes for the Royal Saudi Navy and five new frigates for the Spanish Navy among other projects.
Israel joined Navantia S.A. S.M.E in November 1988 and commenced his career in Navantia’s Cartegena shipyard. During this time he was responsible for Submarine Outfitting in the Production Department and participated in tendering for submarine export projects for Malaysia, Australia and India. He held the position of Scorpene India Project Director during his final six years in the shipyard.
In April 2013, Israel relocated to Madrid as part of Navantia’s Commercial Division where he was responsible for the company’s Through-Life Support business for the next four years. Whilst acting in this role, Israel was responsible for several major contract negotiations with the Australian Department of Defence, including the subcontract with BAE Systems Australia for the Through-Life Support for the Royal Australian Navy’s Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks, and the Support Contract for the Royal Australian Navy’s Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Ships.
Israel holds a M.Sc. in Naval Architecture from the University Polytechnic of Madrid and Executive Business Administration by IESE Business School.
Nicolas Sibello Barquin
Chief Financial Officer
Nicolas Barquín is Chief Financial Officer for Navantia Australia since December 2018. He previously held this position from 2013 until 2017 when he returned to Spain to assist with the developing the Navantia Group’s international business interests.
Nicolas started his professional career with Navantia Spain in 1995 as a document controller within the Procurement Department. In 1997 he joined the company’s Financial Department of the civil business in Cadiz, occupying different positions within the organisation. In 2005, he was promoted to Senior Cost Controller. In 2008, Nicolas was appointed as Administration Director of the Navantia Group.
Jamie Gibbs
Chief Operations & Engineering Officer
Jamie Gibbs joined Navantia Australia in September 2017 as Head of Navantia Australia’s Naval Design and Engineering Centre located in Melbourne, Victoria. Jamie was appointed as Engineering Director in May 2020 and Chief Operations Officer in October 2021.
Jamie oversees the Engineering Functional Organisation which provides engineering discipline homes for technical support and peer support, technical capability development, and cross-product view of engineering activities and processes. He has oversight of the sustainment support programs and Navantia Australia’s supply chain.
Cindy Slaven
Chief Business Development Officer
Cindy Slaven assumed responsibility for Business Development in an acting capacity in August 2023 and was officially appointed in December 2023. Cindy is responsible for leading the Australian business development function as well as marketing and communications.
Cindy joined Navantia Australia in August 2017 to lead the marketing and communications activities and was appointed to the Executive Committee in September 2021. She is also a member of the Steering Committee for Marintec, the joint institute of maritime digital technologies formed between Navantia Australia and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Cindy has over 20 years’ experience in leading marketing and communications, project and event management across a wide range of industries including defence, entertainment, construction, international business in both the private and government sectors. She has had a long association with the Royal Australian Navy and has a well developed understanding of the naval maritime environment.
Cindy has a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Business in Marketing from Edith Cowan University. She was recognised as a finalist for the 2022 Australian Women in Defence Communications Professional and the 2020 Australian Defence Industry Marketing Professional of the Year. She is a judge for MARKies 2023 and a panellist for the 9th annual B2B Marketing Leaders Forum to be held in Sydney in May 2024.
James Cowie
Chief Human Resources Officer
James Cowie is responsible for managing Navantia Australia’s growing workforce and developing innovative solutions to meet the growing need for a range of capabilities in the Australian defence maritime industry.
Based at Navantia Australia’s Canberra office, James brings broad human resources expertise to the company with the last 14 years working in Defence companies. James’ expertise ensures Navantia Australia’s workforce of the future best serves the customer and enables the Navantia Australia team to deliver.
James has a passion for the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet and the programs which support it.
