The Defence Industries Council has announced that Ian King, chief executive of BAE Systems, will be its new chairman.
The DIC, which played a central role in developing the Government’s 2005 Defence Industrial Strategy, represents the UK-based defence industry in direct discussions with the MoD and meets a minimum of four times per year as the National Defence Industries Council, which is chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence. It facilitates discussion between the industry and Government to ensure that the best possible equipment and services are provided to the UK armed forces.
Ian King, Chairman of the DIC, said: “I am very much looking forward to my role as an advocate for the 300,000 people across the UK who work in our defence industry and are proud to support the men and women of the armed forces. In a very short time the future of defence in the UK will be shaped by the decisions taken in the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review. We believe that we can play a constructive role in this process.
“A key part of the review should be a renewed Defence Industrial Strategy that will address, among other goals, defence procurement reform, a reversal in the decline in Research and Technology funding and an increased Government support for defence exports. It should also recognise the vital contribution that the UK defence industrial base makes to the UK’s economy and manufacturing sector.
Rees Ward, Secretary of the DIC, said: “The DIC is fortunate to be able to select from the highest possible calibre of company and business leaders for its membership. We thank Mike Turner for his stalwart leadership and the energy and determination with which he has chaired the DIC. We welcome Ian King and the new DIC members who will have the vital task of working with the Government as we approach the Strategic Defence Review. This will be crucial for the future of the country’s defence and our world-class armed forces as well as our £35 billion per year industry, which is proud to supply them.”
The new composition of the DIC including the change of Chairman and Secretary (following the formation of A|D|S as the new aerospace, defence and security trade organisation) is:
* Ian King, BAE Systems (Chairman)
* Rees Ward, A|D|S (Secretary)
* Sir Kevin Tebbit, Finmeccanica
* Dick Martin, Kembrey (SME representative)
* Peter Rogers, Babcock
* David Price, Chemring
* Andrew White, Serco
* Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce
* Leo Quinn, QinetiQ
* Alex Dorrian, Thales UK
* Paul Lester, VT, President SMI
* Christopher McHugh, SMI/Director BNEA
* John Higgins, President Intellect
* Victor Chavez, Thales, VP Defence & Security Intellect
* Sandy Wilson, General Dynamics UK, A|D|S Vice President Defence