based in canberra, australia, aspen was established in 2003 by glenn keys and dr andrew walker. its initial work involved reviewing the delivery of orthopaedic services under the blair governments' national health service reforms, and reducing waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery. subsequently, thefirm medically supported the australian-led mission to stabilise the solomon islands after its civil collapse, and assisted the australian-led international military mission to east timor, which included saving president jose ramos horta’s life after an assassination attempt.