Andy Lord appointed Interim Chair of NAD Group Advisory Board

Andy Lord has been appointed Interim Chair of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group Advisory Board, which provides independent support and challenge, helping to ensure the Group is well run and manages its strategy, performance and risks effectively.

Andy is also currently Commissioner of Transport for London (TfL), responsible for the delivery of safe and reliable transport services across the capital. He joined TfL in 2019 as Managing Director of London Underground, subsequently becoming Chief Operating Officer before his appointment as Commissioner. Throughout his career, he has held several senior engineering, operational and customer-service roles.

Andy also served as a Non-Executive Director and Board member for Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) from 2018 until March this year. He has been appointed as the NAD Group’s Interim Chair by Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, until 30 April 2027.

Establishing a more integrated mission-focused organisation

The appointment comes as the NAD Group continues to establish a simpler, more integrated governance model designed to support effective decision-making, clearer accountability and stronger management of performance and risk across the Group.

National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce said of the appointment: “I am delighted to welcome Andy as Interim Chair of the NAD Group Advisory Board. Andy brings extensive experience both within our organisation, having served as a DE&S Board member and trusted critical friend for eight years and in leading large, complex organisations.

“His insight, challenge and independent perspective will be invaluable as we continue to build the NAD Group into an integrated, mission-focused organisation.”

The new Advisory Board’s role is to provide independent support and challenge to the NAD and senior leadership, helping to ensure that the Group is well run and manages its strategy, performance and risks effectively.

Andy said: “I am delighted to be appointed the Interim Advisory Board Chair. I have seen first-hand the expertise and commitment that exists across the organisations that now make up the NAD Group, and the vital contribution they make to Defence.

“The opportunity now is to build on those strengths, bringing together expertise from across the Group to deliver even greater impact. I look forward to supporting the leadership team as it continues to drive integration, transformation and operational excellence in support of its mission.”

Adding value and supporting the aims of the NAD Group

The Board provides a strategic, Group-wide perspective, testing whether the organisation is moving in the right direction and identifying where further support, challenge or intervention may be valuable.

These contributions support the NAD Group’s ambition to create a high-support, high-challenge environment, in which leaders are empowered to deliver while remaining accountable for results.

Alongside Andy, the NAD Group’s Non-Executive Members (NEMs) are Robert MacLeod, Tony Meggs, Tracy Sheedy, Carolyn Battersby, Claire Hawkings and Sarah Albon (Safety & Security Committee only).

NEMs are not part of the NAD Group’s executive management structure. Their value comes from their independence and the breadth of experience they bring.

The Board will be supported by three specialist committees covering nominations and remuneration, audit and risk assurance and safety and security.