CODA Welcomes New Industry Advisory Committee Members

CODA is pleased to welcome three new members to its Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), with operator representatives Andrew O’Connor from Chevron Australia and Tom Lukatela from Woodside, along with Idris Mohammad Jaafar joining the committee as an Independent Member.

CODA’s Industry Advisory Committee brings together experienced leaders from across the decommissioning sector to provide advice and support CODA’s ongoing work to promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and the development of Australia’s decommissioning capability.

CODA CEO Francis Norman welcomed the new appointments and acknowledged the contribution of the outgoing members.

“The strength of CODA’s Industry Advisory Committee comes from the experience, knowledge and diverse perspectives its members bring from across the sector. We thank Simon, Danny and Harvey for their contribution to CODA’s work and welcome Andrew, Tom and Idris as they join the committee.”

Andrew O’Connor
Andrew O’Connor

Andrew O’Connor joins the IAC from Chevron Australia, bringing more than 20 years of experience across operations, engineering and asset management. As Director of Operations & Maintenance, Andrew is responsible for the safe and reliable operations of Chevron Australia’s Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG and Domestic Gas Facilities, as well as WA Oil decommissioning activities. His experience across Australia, the United States and Kazakhstan provides valuable insight into operational delivery and international energy projects.

Tom Lukatella
Tom Lukatela

Tom Lukatela joins the IAC from Woodside, bringing extensive experience across project development, engineering and operations. As General Manager Decommissioning for Woodside’s Australian Operations, Tom is responsible for strategy and approvals across Woodside’s Australian decommissioning portfolio. His broad experience across offshore gas facilities, platforms and LNG operations provides a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in delivering safe, efficient and sustainable decommissioning outcomes.

Idris Mohammad Jaafar
Idris Mohammad Jaafar

Idris Mohammad Jaafar joins the IAC as an Independent Member, bringing more than 30 years of experience across offshore engineering, major projects, operations and decommissioning. Idris has held senior leadership roles with Brunei Shell Petroleum and Shell Group, including responsibility for global decommissioning and restoration strategy. His extensive experience in developing and delivering major decommissioning programmes will provide valuable insight to the committee.

CODA would also like to acknowledge the contribution of outgoing Industry Advisory Committee members Simon Kemp, Danny Woodall and Harvey Johnstone. Their knowledge, experience and commitment to collaboration have supported CODA’s work and contributed to the continued development of Australia’s decommissioning sector.

View the CODA Industry Advisory Committee

 

Unique Group Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

Unique Group, global leaders in subsea technologies and engineering, has announced the appointment of Giovanni Corbetta as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from July 1, 2026.

Giovanni brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the offshore energy, subsea, marine services, engineering, and defence sectors. Throughout his career, he has successfully led businesses across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, building a strong track record in operational excellence, business transformation, acquisition integration, and sustainable growth.

Giovanni Corbetta, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Unique Group

Most recently, he held several senior leadership roles within James Fisher & Sons plc, including Strategic Advisor to the CEO, Head of Business Excellence, Managing Director of the Marine Contracting Division and Managing Director of JFD. In these positions, he was responsible for offshore and subsea operations, production and manufacturing, engineering services, project delivery, and international business performance.

Prior to this, Giovanni held senior leadership positions within DOF Subsea, Hallin Marine and Saipem where he gained extensive experience managing complex global operations and delivering critical engineering projects in demanding marine environments.

His technical and operational expertise spans subsea technologies, marine services, diving operations, offshore engineering, manufacturing, project execution and international operations management.

Commenting on the appointment, Harry Gandhi, Chairman and Founder of Unique Group, said: “Giovanni’s combination of global leadership experience, deep industry expertise and proven ability to drive operational excellence make him exceptionally well positioned to lead Unique Group into its next phase of growth. He demonstrated a strong alignment with the values that have shaped our company for more than three decades, and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Giovanni added: “I am honoured to join Unique Group at such an exciting point in its journey. The company has built an outstanding reputation for innovation, customer focus and technical excellence, supported by a culture rooted in trust, integrity and entrepreneurship. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams around the world to build on these strong foundations, strengthen our market position and continue delivering value for our customers, partners and stakeholders.

Giovanni’s appointment reflects Unique Group’s commitment to continued growth, innovation and operational excellence while maintaining the values, entrepreneurial spirit and customer-centric approach that have been central to the company’s success since its founding in 1993.

With extensive industry experience and a strong cultural fit, Giovanni is well positioned to lead Unique Group through its next phase of development, building on the company’s established reputation as a trusted partner to customers across the offshore energy, subsea, marine and defence sectors.