Atturra (ASX: ATA) has appointed Richard Campbell, a well-known defence industry expert, as the new Chief Executive Officer of SME Gateway, which is one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This announcement was made public on April 12, 2023. SME Gateway is Australia's leading network, working towards connecting and growing skilled small and medium enterprises. The company aims to connect these firms with government, defence, and industry clients.

Richard Campbell has spent most of his career working for the Australian Army, where he attained the rank of Colonel. He has also worked as the Chief of Plans for NATO Special Operations in Iraq, Exchange Officer in the United Kingdom's Permanent Joint Headquarters, and the Australian Defence Attaché to the Republic of Turkey. Campbell was decorated for operational planning during the Iraq War and has served in several countries, including Australia, the UK, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Campbell also worked with Qantas Airways for seven years, primarily in its ground operations and international security branches. He holds a Master's degree from the Royal Military College of Science in the UK, an MBA from the University of Queensland, and a Management Development Staff Course degree from the Army Command.

Steven Kowal, who serves as Atturra's CEO, said that Richard Campbell has a unique desire for developing a sovereign defense industrial capability. He believes that Campbell is joining SME Gateway at a critical time because it presents several new opportunities brought to light by the recent Defence Strategic Review. Atturra aims to represent small-to-medium businesses and their clients the best. SME Gateway is a platform that offers Federal and State Governments, Defence, and industry clients direct access to over 400 Australian SME businesses nationwide. They aim to deliver sovereign Australian capabilities across the country.

SME Gateway's governance and assurance model assures that local, indigenous, and veteran members become suppliers and participate in growing their businesses. As its presence grows across all government domains, SME Gateway increases its member businesses' capabilities on a cost-effective, client-focused, and value-for-money basis. SME Gateway aims primarily to allow member businesses to showcase and apply over 150 skills across Australia. Richard Campbell acknowledged that he is looking forward to joining the exciting situation when SME companies are innovating rapidly.

Campbell said that these organisations have incredible opportunities in the digital age to engage and partner with government, defence, and industry to reinforce national resilience and economic success. Therefore, he looks forward to supporting these organisations with the best practice frameworks and advisory services to help maintain their momentum. Atturra is an ASX-listed technology firm that provides consulting, IT services, and solutions to a variety of industries, including local government, utilities, education, defence, financial services, and manufacturing. They work with several global solutions providers such as Microsoft, Boomi, Software AG, Smartsheet, QAD, Infor, and Solace. Some of the most extensive public and private-sector organisations in Australia benefit from Atturra's services.