Bret Barton

Bret Barton is a senior business advisor at HunterNet Co-operative in Newcastle, New South Wales, where he supports small and medium defence-sector companies to grow their capabilities. A defence veteran who has worked alongside Canadian, US and Australian forces, he brings 20 years' experience in the sector as a chief executive, director and management consultant. Since joining HunterNet in 2005 he has helped more than 200 SME companies build their defence credentials, and he currently serves as deputy chair of the Hunter Defence Task Force. On Engineering in the Hunter, he discusses supporting the region's defence industry.