Air Vice-Marshal Peter Yates (ret’d) is a highly respected and seasoned executive leader with a career spanning over four decades in enterprise resource planning, aviation engineering and maintenance, and logistics management. Known for his innovative thinking, energy, and strategic acumen, Peter has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate complex organisational landscapes and bring about positive change.

His career in the Royal Australian Air Force commenced in 1983 and spanned over 36 years of full-time service, culminating in the significant leadership role of acting as the Program Director for the Defence Enterprise Resource Planning Project from August 2016 to December 2018. In this capacity, Peter used his strategic leadership capability to gain government approvals for the program by developing the strategic business case, defining program implementation approaches, and fostering strong relationships across Defence, Government Agencies, and within the Government.

Other notable appointments across his career include his role as Director General Logistics‑Air Force (2013-2016), Officer Commanding Maritime Patrol Systems Program (2011-2013), Air Force’s Director of Engineering (2006-2007), and Chief Engineer of Air Lift (2004-2005).

Peter continues to serve in a Reserve capacity, serving in the Active Reserve since 2019. He is involved in a range of specific projects, and has recently been appointed as the Technical Chair of the Defence Airworthiness Board Panel. Peter is also contributing to the future development of the ADF, serving as a lecturer at UNSW's ADFA Campus, where he has been the Course Convenor for Strategic Procurement and Outsourcing since 2021. His commitment also extends to serving as a Guest Lecturer on Strategic Asset Management.

Peter also has experience in company governance, becoming a Graduate member of the AICD in 2014, which led to him being a Non-Executive Director of SME‑Gateway from 2019 to 2023.

Peter holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Deakin (2010), an Executive Master of Public Administration from ANU (2009), a Master of Management in Defence Studies from the University of Canberra (2003), and a Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering from RMIT (1986).

A respected figure in professional associations, Peter is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (Australia) since 1998, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (Australia) since 2000, and he became a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in 2014.

Peter's dedication to service and excellence has seen him awarded the Member of the Order of Australia in 2016 and the Conspicuous Service Cross in 2001. His passion for delivering quality service performance and developing strong stakeholder relationships continues to drive his contributions to the fields of aviation and logistics.