Jim McDowell was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 20 January 1956.  He was educated in Northern Ireland at Annadale Grammar School and later at the University of Warwick in England where, in 1977, he took an honours degree in Law.

Jim worked for 18 years at the aerospace company, Bombardier/Shorts, in the UK, USA, Middle East and Asia in various Legal, Commercial and Marketing positions. 

In August 1996, Jim joined British Aerospace in Singapore.  Following British Aerospace’s merger with Marconi Electronic Systems in November 1999, Jim was appointed Regional Managing Director – Asia of BAE Systems based in Hong Kong.

He took up his current assignment as Chief Executive of BAE Systems Australia in March 2001. Currently, BAE Systems employs more than 5,500 people throughout some 50 locations across Australia.

Continuing his keen interest in education, Jim is currently a member of the Council of the University of South Australia and sits on the Advisory Board of the School of Law. In addition, he actively supports up-skilling Australia and sits on the Northern Economic Leaders Champions Group in South Australia.

Jim is married to Mi Jung and has two daughters and a son.  He is interested in sport, literature, political history and fine arts.