Ampcontrol’s Rod Henderson, who has played a central role in shaping the Hunter’s innovation and manufacturing sector, will be formally farewelled at a Business Hunter event on Friday 20 June at The Delany Hotel. The lunch will mark his more than 25 years of contribution to Ampcontrol and to the broader regional economy.
Henderson joined Ampcontrol in 1999 and took on the role of CEO in 2014, followed by his appointment as Managing Director in 2015. His leadership is credited with guiding the company through industry shifts, new manufacturing opportunities, and complex challenges — including the rapid development of intensive care-ready ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The upcoming event, Legacy in Leadership, will bring together local business leaders and colleagues to hear Henderson’s reflections and to recognise the influence he has had on the Hunter’s industrial direction. He will deliver a keynote address that covers the partnerships and progress made during his time with the company. Others who have worked closely with him will also share their perspectives on his broader impact across sectors.
Henderson’s approach over the years has often centred on collaboration and capability building. He has been widely respected for encouraging a future-focused direction in manufacturing and energy without chasing attention.
“Leading and working with such a talented and dedicated team has been a privilege. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments over the past decade as Managing Director & CEO, and of the robust foundation we have established for continued success,” said Mr Henderson.
His time at Ampcontrol has seen the company shift from a traditional focus on mining and electrical equipment into developing new technologies for decarbonisation and energy resilience.
“Reflecting on our journey, I remain impressed by some of our achievements and developments. Notably, we have pioneered world-first technologies and solutions in the resources sector and successfully transitioned to manufacturing intensive care-ready ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Henderson said.
Chairman of the Ampcontrol Board of Directors, Greg Sedgwick, acknowledged the leadership Henderson brought over the past decade. “There have been many accomplishments in his career, including industry-leading safety performance, earnings growth, and positioning Ampcontrol for a strong position in a decarbonisation future.”
As Henderson prepares to step away at the end of June 2025, he has expressed optimism about what lies ahead for the company and the region. “Now is the time to give the steering wheel to someone else to continue driving the vision forward,” he said. “After 25 years with Ampcontrol, I look forward to stepping back, taking a well-earned break, and moving on to the next adventure.”
The farewell event, from Business Hunter with support from Ampcontrol and Out Of The Square Media, is open to business leaders and collaborators across the region to attend and acknowledge a career that has helped shape the Hunter’s manufacturing and innovation capability.
