Key People
Michael Sharpe
Michael Sharpe operates at the intersection of industry, government, and allied supply chains around the world. His work spans engineering, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, environmental sustainability, the space sector, academia, and the nuclear industry—focused on turning capability into coordinated industrial outcomes across borders.
He is extremely well connected with international manufacturing, industrial and political leaders, as well as the world's top universities, including activities in the nuclear and AUKUS spheres.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the AUKUS Forum, Michael leads an organisation that operates across industry, government, and academia in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He has a personal contact base of over 100,000 people across Australian industry, including more than 48,000 members of the AUKUS Forum and 41,000 LinkedIn connections, with many more built over his time on projects for infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and research activities. His extensive range of industry networks has been assembled over the last three decades.
Widely regarded as one of the most connected people in Australian industry, with a strong focus on business transactions, Michael is focused on transformation and leadership – helping countless businesses access new export opportunities and enter adjacent markets, such as traditional engineering firms stepping into the space and defence industries.
This gives him an unrivaled ability to connect with key decision makers, facilitate contacts between Australian and overseas manufacturers, establish joint ventures, and create supply chains. His network is actively leveraged by global companies, including major U.S. corporations seeking trusted Australian industry partners.
Michael has vast experience in politics, industry, and manufacturing, having served as the National Director for Industry at the Australian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and as Chairman of the HunterNet Co-operative, a very successful industry cluster based in the Newcastle area of New South Wales.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders; a Fellow of The Royal Society for the Arts, Manufactures & Commerce; and has completed courses in Leadership at the Harvard Business School.
Matthew Sweeney
Matthew is a Chartered Accountant and business advisor with global experience but a local approach. Over the past 25 years he has worked with businesses from start-up entrepreneurs through to international Government departments providing strategic guidance and compliance advice using his wealth of knowledge and expertise. He specialises in tax, corporate advisory, compliance and feasibility analysis and has extensive experience within investment banking.
Matthew is the Managing Director of the Accountants, Advisors and Auditors division at Bell Partners Tamworth, engaging with clients on traditional compliance and tax matters plus the Entrepreneurial Advisory Offering for those business owners wanting a more growth oriented approach.
Matthew is highly experienced with integrating finance, communication, marketing and compliance to enable effective two-way communication between a company and the investor community. He is recognised for his commitment to the highest professional standards to support successful company shareholder and investor relations.
With clients just starting out in business through to international banking executives and even Government board appointments he prides himself on going above and beyond to provide simple solutions to complex corporate challenges and compliance strategies that ensures results to achieve the best outcome for his clients.
In addition, Matthew is the former President of the Tamworth Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest and most progressive Chambers in the State of New South Wales. The Chamber Board Members are prominent business professionals with a passion for and commitment to the Tamworth Business Community. They give their time, energy and expertise to the Chamber in a completely voluntary capacity.
