Allan Cook CBE to chair UKTI DSO Industry Liaison Board
As industry and government continue to work together more closely through the DGP, the Board will play a crucial role in identifying export opportunities and maximising UK export success.
The appointment of Allan Cook (above) marks the latest step forward for the DGP, and swiftly follows the recent opening of the Centre for Maritime Intelligence Systems (CMIS) by Minister for Portsmouth, Matthew Hancock. These significant milestones demonstrate the pace of progress since the DGP’s implementation plan was announced by the Prime Minister at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2014.
Commenting on the appointment, Steve Wadey, MBDA UK Managing Director and Co-Chair of the DGP said: “Allan Cook has been involved in the Defence Growth Partnership since its formation, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the group’s activities. In his role as Chair of the UKTI DSO Industry Liaison Board, I am confident that the significant progress made by the DGP since the summer will continue.”
The DGP has an ambitious schedule for 2015. In addition to forming the UKTI DSO Industry Liaison Board, a significant step in gaining a better understanding of customer needs around the world and prioritise high value opportunities, the DGP will:
- Establish the UK Defence Solutions Centre (DSC), creating a collaborative working environment to identify market opportunities and roadmaps to deliver the equipment and services that meet customer needs. The process is underway to recruit a Chief Executive to lead the establishment of this centre in Farnborough
- Progress the work of the £4 million UK Centre for Maritime Intelligent Systems in Portsmouth following its launch in November 2014. The centre brings together academics, scientists, engineers and naval specialists to develop cutting-edge technology for use in autonomous unmanned boats, submarines or other vessels.
- Recruit graduates onto the new Defence Apprenticeship Trailblazer which will offer a new Masters level standard in Advanced Systems Engineering in order to secure a long-term skills base for the sector.
Allan Cook, Chair of the UKTI DSO Industry Liaison Board, commented: “I am always impressed when I look at the skills and capabilities we have within the defence and securty industries in the UK, and their export potential. The DGP has already made huge progress and there remains a real opportunity for industry and government to enhance the competitiveness of the UK defence sector and deliver benefits to the wider economy. The DSO Liaison Board will play a vital role in delivering that vision.”
Allan Cook is a chartered engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in the aerospace and defence industries. He is the Chairman of Atkins, Selex ES and Finmeccanica UK Ltd and Deputy Chairman of Marshall of Cambridge Ltd.
In addition, Mr Cook is the Chairman of the UK Government Skills and Jobs Retention Group, UKTI’s Advanced Engineering Sector Advisory Board and the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance. In 2008, he was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for services to the defence and aerospace industries and is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2014, Mr Cook became lead non-executive director of the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
