DGP kicks off 2015 with senior appointment
The UK DSC will play a vital role in securing competitive advantage for the UK defence industry.
It will create a unique pre-competitive collaboration to develop game changing capability, technology and skills roadmaps. Bringing together a team of highly skilled specialists it will help to create innovative and world beating products and services.
The UK DSC is one of the enduring capabilities established by the Defence Growth Partnership announced in July 2014 by the Prime Minister at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Business Minister Matthew Hancock, said: “The appointment of Steve Brittan will provide the UK Defence Solutions Centre with strong leadership as it helps companies identify new opportunities and develop the world-beating products of the future.
“The Centre is great news for the defence industry in the UK, and is an excellent example of our long term plan to back business, helping key sectors to grow and securing jobs.”
Steve Wadey, MBDA UK Managing Director and Co-Chair of the Defence Growth Partnership commented: “Steve Brittan brings a wealth of experience and a real understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the UK defence industry. The UK Defence Solutions Centre will support companies in developing new technology that meets current and future customer needs and we welcome Steve to his new position in leading this important organisation.”
Steve Brittan, chief executive of the UK Defence Solutions Centre said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this important role and am looking forward to contributing to the long-term competitiveness of the UK defence industry. Innovation and the swift deployment of new technologies are increasingly important and the UK DSC offers a unique collaborative environment to understand and explore the longer-term requirements of UK and international customers.”
Mr Brittan graduated with degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering in 1990, sponsored by Marconi. He went on to join Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, part of the MoD, where he led the defence radar and surveillance technology division through privatisation as QinetiQ.
As the youngest Managing Director at the time, he grew his division's profitability and size from £30m to £60m by working closely with the defence primes to share IP and unlock innovation.
In 2009 Steve left QinetiQ and since then he has worked as a consultant with a wide variety of technology SMEs.
