Our people, our greatest asset
Within our thriving company, our exceptional team members are the true driving force behind our remarkable success.
Pioneers in their field
From its very beginning Varley Group has always been lead by conscientious forward thinkers with an intuition for engineering excellence and business development.
George Henry Varley
Varley Group Founder: 1886
Founded by George Henry Varley in 1886, the company that still bears his name today has remained a family business for four generations.
Clem York Varley
Company Chairman
Clem was a trained pilot who served in WWI. He assumed the top role of chairman of his father’s business at thirty-eight years old. He appointed William Fry, engineering manager, and Jim Colgon as finance manager and managing director.
Clem George Varley
Company Chairman
A civil engineer by trade Clem Jnr. grew the business during a tough economic climate by investment into aluminium fabrication and numerous other key acquisitions.
Steadfast and unwavering
Carrying the founders’ legacy forward, today’s leadership team combines experience, reliability, and adaptability, as we near our 150-year milestone.
Jeff Phillips
Managing Director and Chairman: 1995-Present
Jeff Phillips has transformed a smaller family engineering business into an extremely successful, reputable and diverse company with over 1,000 employees at multiple sites Australia-wide.
Victor Ugarte
CEO, Varley Defence
Professional Engineer with 30 years of experience delivering Defence acquisition projects, working for the Varley Group and holding the position of Chief Executive Officer for Varley Defence since 2018.
Jeff Honniball
CEO, Varley Vehicles
Jeff Honniball has +25 years’ experience within global and local ASX to SME organisations. Jeff Honniball has extensive business international operational leadership experience, marketing, sales, supply chain, sourcing, manufacturing, production within Manufacturing, Retail, GMP, FMCG and Contract Manufacturing environments. Jeff is an experienced leader with proven track record of delivering a strong customer focus and business financial results, through strong leadership skills, business strategies, Best In Class Methodology, System Optimisation Program Implementations, financial management, multi-project management, strategic planning, LEAN manufacturing and supply chain end-to-end optimisation.
Mario Rebellato
CEO, Varley Services
Mario has worked in the manufacturing industry in the Hunter region since 1984. He takes pride in building long-lasting customer relationships and achieving excellent results with his team. His people-focused approach and dedication to the rail industry have been key to his success.
Matt Dean
CEO, Varley Systems
Leveraging emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement is Matt’s passion with 20 years leadership experience across IT, Operations, Engineering, Asset Management, Strategy and Business Improvement.
In safe hands
With resolute dedication to fiscal responsibility, the board of directors diligently secures the company’s future, fostering trust, stability, and sustainable growth.
Jeff Phillips
Chairman: 1995-Present
Peter Evans
Director: 1985-Present
Darren Turner
Director: 2017-Present
Justin England
Company Secretary: 2016-Present
Peter Martin
Director: 2019-Present
Lyndell Fogarty
Director: 2023-Present