Leadership Team

Stuart Althaus - Chief Executive

Stuart’s role as CEO of SME Gateway sees him leading an exceptional team responsible for providing access to many of the panels providing business for well over 400 SMEs across Australia, in particular working with Defence, DHS and other major Federal Government Departments and Agencies.  

His role requires representational and advocacy at the highest levels and through this is able to provide an active voice for the SME Gateway Members and SMEs in general.

Peter Madden - General Manager

Peter’s primary role is to manage the operational aspects of SME Gateway to achieve optimum outcomes for Members and maximise the effective use of business assets and human resources.

Peter assists in the development and review of policies and plans, organising and controlling major functions relating to the operation and administration of the organisation.

Following 14 years in the Commonwealth public sector, Peter has worked for a number of large and small companies in a General Management capacity for over 25 years.  He has had Branch Manager, General Manager and Managing Director roles as well as being CIO for Ross Human Directions for a number of years.

Colin Ashman - Business Development Executive

Colin's role is to market the benefits and role of SME Gateway to the wider market, generate opportunities through accessing new panels and working with the Board on future strategy.

As Chairman of the Member based Advisory Board, Colin is responsible for representing their views and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Colin has held a number of CEO, Director and General Management positions in industry and management consultancy.  He has worked with a number of major international companies in air/space imagery analysis, defence, consumer electronics, medical products, white goods, distribution and service industries in Australia, UK, Europe, South Africa and the USA.

Carissa Thomson - Assistant General Manager

Carissa’s role assists the Senior Staff with panel management and client liaison to ensure a clear understanding of SME Gateway clients’ current and future needs.  This includes management of membership enquiries and onboarding of new Members.

Carissa is instrumental in the preparation of business processes and workflow documentation for the purposes of Business as Usual and the development of a new CRM and Enterprise Solutions and the establishment of the future requirements for the organisation.

Alison Mason - Operations Manager

Alison’s role is to ensure that the day-to-day operations of SME Gateway run smoothly, effectively and efficiently. 

She has overall responsibility for the distribution of RFQs to Members and the preparation and submission of compliant responses to the relevant Commonwealth agencies. 

Alison also facilitates the establishment of contracts and is the primary point of contact for Clients and Members for any issues during the conduct of a job.