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Our Team

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Our unique, multi-skilled teams have expertise across the disciplines of surveying, hydraulics, electronics, GIS and IT to give you the best advice and support for your project.

As the exclusive national distributor for one of the world’s largest manufacturers of positioning and machine control systems, our sales and support teams are tapped into the very latest, state-of-the art developments.

Aptella senior management has more than 200 years of combined industry expertise, with contributions to various associations and Australian Spatial Industry initiatives. 

Our Board

Chairman

Ian Petherbridge

Having started his career as a surveyor, and then co-founder of a national IT company, Ian has an excellent technical background and understanding of business. He has led Aptella’s board of directors since 2010.

Ian has more than 30 years of senior executive experience and is skilled in growing businesses from small beginnings into highly successful national and international operations. An experienced Chairman with a comprehensive understanding of business management and sound governance practices,

Non-Executive Director

Martin Nix

Martin practiced as a surveyor until 1984 and then joined Leica Geosystems where he held a number of management roles in Australia, Switzerland and USA until 2009.

The roles included President Americas Sales and Service, Business Area Manager Mining and Agriculture Systems and Corporate Officer while Leica Geosystems was listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange. Martin has a Masters of Surveying (GIS) (’90) from UNSW and is a Member of the Institute of Company Directors. He was Aptella’s CEO and Managing Director from 2010 – 2025.

He has participated in Working Groups that formed Australia’s space policy and National Positioning Infrastructure, including as Co-chair of the Department of Home Affairs’ Space Community of Interest,  supporting risk management of space-based critical infrastructure.

Non-Executive Director

Takahiro Sakai

Takahiro Sakai is the Divisional Operating Officer of the Mobility Division in the Asia Pacific Business Unit at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., a role he assumed in July 2024.

A graduate of Meiji University with a degree in Political Science and Economics, Sakai has been with Mitsui & Co. since 1994. His career spans various senior positions across different sectors of transportation, infrastructure, and mobility.

Early in his career, Sakai was stationed in the U.S., where he served as General Manager and Vice President of MRC Rail Services, LLC. Over the years, he has held leadership roles such as General Manager of the Mass Transit Project Division, Deputy General Manager of the Project Development Department, and Deputy General Manager of the Investment Administration Department.

With over three decades of experience, Sakai’s expertise lies in project management, business development, and investment administration, particularly within transportation systems and vehicle solutions. His leadership continues to drive Mitsui & Co.’s mobility and transportation initiatives across the Asia Pacific region.

Non-Executive Director

Tomoya Tsutsumi

Tomoya Tsutsumi is the General Manager of the Mobility Business Division at Mitsui & Co. Australia, a role he took on in September 2024.

A graduate of Hitotsubashi University with a degree in Commerce and Management, Tsutsumi has built a career in business development, finance/accounting, and market analysis across various sectors.

Joining Mitsui & Co. in 1999, Tsutsumi started in the Steep Product Accounting Division, later transitioning to the ICT Business Unit, where he managed mobile content ventures. His international assignments include Indonesia, where he explored business opportunities with Japan’s premier mobile operator and developed finance strategies for mining contractors, and Australia, where he served as National Mining Manager for Komatsu Australia. Tsutsumi has also held leadership roles in Komatsu Australia’s Market Planning Division and Mitsui’s Construction Machinery Division, focusing on machine rentals and robotics.

From 2018 to 2023, Tsutsumi was the General Manager of Mitsui & Co. Mexico, spearheading mobility-related initiatives, including business operations, decarbonization for commercial vehicle and the remanufacturing of mining machinery components. In his current role, he is responsible for advancing Mitsui’s business development in the mining and supporting subsidiary companies like Aptella, Komatsu, and Penske.

takahiko kato

non-executive Director

Takahiko Kato

Takahiko Kato is the General Manager of the Oceania & CIS Business Department in the Construction & Transportation Vehicle Solutions Business Division at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., effective as of July 2024.

He has a comprehensive career background, starting in 2004 after graduating from Nagoya University’s School of Informatics and Sciences. Over the years, he has held multiple leadership roles, including Managing Director of Mitsui Bussan Automotive in Thailand, overseeing Hino Dealership Business, and First Vice President at Toyota Manila Bay Corporation in the Philippines.

Kato’s expertise spans business development, corporate planning, and administration, primarily within the automotive and machinery sectors across various regions, such as India, Thailand, and the Philippines. His career progression includes roles such as Deputy General Manager of the First Vehicle Business Division and Project Manager for Vehicle Parts and Business Development.

With nearly two decades of experience at Mitsui & Co., Kato continues to contribute to the company’s growth and expansion in global markets.

Director, Risk Governance

Akihiro Sano

Akihiro Sano brings extensive global experience from Mitsui & Co., Ltd., where he has held senior leadership roles across multiple business units.

He joined Aptella as Director, Risk Governance, supporting the Board in risk management, compliance, and process improvement.

Prior to this, he served as Deputy General Manager of Mitsui’s Mobility Business Unit I, overseeing personnel, commercial vehicle operations, and agricultural machinery businesses. He has also held directorships at Komatsu Australia Corporate Finance, Komatsu Mexico, Mitsui Bussan Automotive Thailand, and Yanmar Agrisolutions in India and Myanmar, further strengthening his governance expertise.

Earlier, Akihiro was General Manager of Corporate Communication at Mitsui’s Tokyo Head Office, leading global media relations, corporate disclosures, and crisis communications. His career also includes leadership roles in construction machinery, finance, leasing, and supply chain management across North and South America, Africa, and the Middle East.

With a Bachelor of Economics from The University of Tokyo, Akihiro brings strategic insight and global expertise to Aptella’s governance and risk management functions.

Executive Management Team

Andrew Granger

Executive Manager Mining

Andrew Granger

With over 22 years of experience working alongside partners to tailor operational technology solutions, Andrew brings deep industry knowledge and a hands-on approach to every project.

His expertise spans Fleet Management Systems and High Precision Machine Guidance, with a strong focus on understanding each customer’s unique site and project requirements. Andrew’s leadership fosters a team culture that is passionate about delivering supported solutions that drive real results in the field.

Chief Executive Officer

Greg Macklin

Greg has built his career in both the construction materials and equipment rental industries. He brings to Aptella a passion for continuous improvement, team culture, and outstanding customer service.

With a degree in Business and Marketing, Greg has held a number of senior sales, operational and business management positions during his tenure at Aptella, specialising in strategy and business development.  Greg led the operational side of the business as Chief Operations Officer before accepting the role of CEO in April 2025.

Gina Velde

Group Executive Manager Operations

Gina Velde

Gina is the Executive Group Manager of Operations at Aptella, leading a diverse team that incorporates Customer Experience, Services, Products, Marketing, IT and business systems, GNSS Infrastructure, and Networking Solutions.

Originally from England, Gina began her career as a journalist before emigrating to Australia in 2007. She worked in the marketing team at Leica Geosystems, specialising in GPS machine guidance for precision farming. In 2011 she moved to Sydney and joined Aptella, then known as Position Partners, as the company’s first marketing manager. In the 14 years since, Gina has continued to lead the company’s evolving brand as it expanded into new markets and countries, project managing the renaming to Aptella in 2024.

Aside from marketing responsibilities, Gina has been part of the senior management team since 2016, with experience across a range of fields including corporate social responsibility initiatives, trademark and design protections and privacy management.

Harry Katsanevas

Executive Manager Civil

Harry Katsanevas

Harry is the Executive Manager of Aptella’s Civil business, with more than 25 years’ experience in the sector and its ever-evolving technology landscape. He was recognised with Topcon’s Spirit of Excellence Award for his pioneering spirit, commitment to customers, and contribution to the industry.

Having begun his career with the business in the workshop managing maintenance and repairs, Harry understands and prioritises customer service excellence. Harry is respected by his colleagues and industry peers for his vision and passion to enhance customers’ productivity through technology. As leader of the Civil business, Harry manages sales, field services, site solutions, infrastructure and paving services.

Adam Burke

Executive Manager Geospatial + Building

Adam Burke

Adam currently manages the company’s Geospatial business. After starting his career as a surveyor, he joined the civilcad CAD software team for 5 years.

He started working for Laserquip, one of Aptella’ founding companies in 2005. Adam has benefitted from strong mentors throughout his time with the company who valued customers service and who got a thrill out of resolving customer headaches through positioning innovations. These became his core drivers and continue to influence his customer interactions and career progression.

Josh square

Executive Manager Services

Josh Allan

With customers always front of mind, Josh brings a wealth of business development and technical capability to his role leading the services business at Aptella.

His strong working relationships with key partners including Topcon, enable him to advocate for customers and the industry through innovative solutions that increase productivity.

Cameron Waters

Executive Manager Customer experience

Cameron Waters

With a wealth of experience in sales, product management and business development, Cameron now leads the company’s Customer Experience strategy.

Cameron now leads the company’s Customer Experience strategy. Working across all businesses, regions and departments, Cameron supports the wider company to deliver consistently positive and engaging experiences for our customers.

Mat-Connelly

Regional Manager - South East Asia

Mathew Connelly

Mat is a qualified surveyor with extensive experience across a wide cross section of technologies including machine control, paving solutions, survey and GNSS equipment.

Having joined Aptella in 2012, Mat has worked as a field service technician, managed our Darwin branch and now leads our South East Asia team. With a passion for working collaboratively with customers to deeply understand their project needs, Mat is able to offer comprehensive project management and technical advice.

Bernadette-Taoro-

Strategic Head of People and Culture

Bernadette Taoro Ashin

Bernadette is an experienced Human Resources professional with extensive experience across both private and public sectors.

In her previous role, Bernadette was an Executive team member and the Leader of Human Resources for St Vincent’s Private Hospital and Mater Hospital Sydney. Prior to this, Bernadette was the National Human Resource Manager for Asciano, an ASX-listed Australian freight logistics company. In her role as Group Executive Manager of People and Culture, Bernadette is responsible for a wide range of programs including talent management, learning and development and recruitment to position the company as an Employer of Choice in the industries we serve.

Seiya Hiraoka

Executive Manager Business development and planning

Seiya Hiraoka

With a legal education, Seiya has been active in planning many of Mitsui’s investment strategies since 2015.

Seiya’s analytical and business planning skills are highly valued within the executive team.

Daisuke Ikoma

Senior Executive Manager Corporate Development

Daisuke Ikoma

With a strong foundation in finance and strategic investment, Ikoma has developed expertise in managing large-scale assets, business development, and digital innovation through his experience in Mitsui for over 15 years.

His experience in coal mining investments and equity transactions has honed his ability to navigate complex global markets, while his work in industrial IoT and AI-related startup has deepened his insight into cutting-edge technologies. Combining these skills, Ikoma now supports business development in Aptella’s mining and Southeast Asian business, leveraging Mitsui’s global network to drive growth and enhance Aptella’s value in an evolving industrial landscape.

Ben Gaskett

Chief Financial Officer

Ben Gaskett

Ben was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary in August 2023, following twelve years as Finance Manager with Aptella.

A member of CPA Australia and a graduate of RMIT and Deakin Universities, Ben has worked in the transport industry with Toll group and in property development with both state government and private enterprise.

Founders

Our founders still working in the business include: Garry MacPhail (Western Australia), and Harry Katsanevas (Queensland).

Our retired founders include: Anne Forrest (Queensland), Janine Arnold and Robert Bent (Victoria), Bernard Cecchele (Western Australia), David Gow (South Australia), Craig Fleming (South Australia) and Mike Forrest (South East Asia, recipient of the Topcon Spirit of Excellence Award) .

Founder

Garry Fleming

Alongside business partner Brian McLoughlin, Garry Fleming was a founder of LaserQuip, one of the businesses that formed Aptella. A respected and much-loved leader, mentor and pioneer for the business and civil construction industry, Garry passed away on 10th March 2024 from a suspected heart attack during his regular ocean swim off Cronulla beach, south of Sydney.

Garry began his career as a surveyor, before moving into a sales role distributing survey equipment. In his time with Position Partners, Garry held several positions both in New South Wales and nationally, heading up the partnering services area of the business due to his passion for supporting customers over the long-term. He was an active member of the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) in New South Wales. After Brian’s passing, Garry led the NSW team before retiring in 2019.

Brian

Founder

Brian McLoughlin

Brian was a founder of Aptella, who sadly passed away on 17th January 2016 after a battle with cancer.Brian commenced his sales career in 1975 with Banbury Engineering, then distributors for Kato excavators, and sold his first laser in 1976.

He moved to Laser Alignment in 1980 and was one of the early pioneers of the use of dual grade lasers and machine control.

Together with business partner Garry Fleming, he started Laserquip in Sydney in 1987, where they introduced the concept of 2D control for graders in 1990. Brian managed the NSW and ACT operation of Aptella. Click here to read more.