General Atomics

Navantia UK appoints Derek Jones as Chief Commercial and Business Development Officer

Navantia UK has today announced the appointment of Derek Jones as Chief Commercial and Business Development Officer.



Image courtesy Navantia UK


Derek Jones (above) brings over 30 years of experience in the defence sector to Navantia UK, including extensive leadership roles at Babcock International Group, BAE Systems and GEC Marconi.

Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the Type 31 Frigate Programme at Babcock, where he successfully led a £1.5 billion capital asset design and manufacture contract with the UK Ministry of Defence.

Juan de la Cueva, CEO of Navantia UK, said: "Derek’s appointment comes as we strengthen our operations following our recent acquisition of Harland & Wolff. His proven track record in complex defence projects, developing opportunities and building strong customer relationships will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business and deliver on our commitments to customers.”

During his time at Babcock, Jones has held several senior positions including Managing Director of Operations for the Marine Sector, International Shipbuilding Director, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Sector and Corporate Services Director. His experience spans major defence programmes including the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and the Future Maritime Support Programme.

Derek Jones said: "I am delighted to be joining Navantia UK at such an exciting time for the company. Combining Navantia’s global pedigree with the heritage and capabilities of the UK sites creates a robust platform for growth across the defence, maritime and energy sectors. I look forward to working with the team to deliver value for our customers and strengthen the UK’s sovereign industrial capabilities."

In his new role, Jones will be responsible for leading Navantia UK’s commercial strategy and business development activities.
 

Related

Record-breaking August rounds off Stansted’s busiest ever summer
Stansted Terminal Security entrance.
Record-breaking August rounds off Stansted’s busiest ever summer
Whilst welcoming over 100,000 passengers on every day of August, London Stansted Airport achieved its busiest ever day, month and summer on record.
Aerospace

16 Sep 2026

UK MOD accelerates low-cost drone turbojet development with Alloyed
Image: MOD Crown Copyright
UK MOD accelerates low-cost drone turbojet development with Alloyed
A new UK-developed turbojet engine has reached flight-ready status in less than seven months, highlighting the potential of advanced manufacturing to accelerate defence propulsion.
Aerospace Defence Test

16 Sep 2026

Airlines should cover full climate cost if Heathrow expands, CCC says
London Heathrow
Airlines should cover full climate cost if Heathrow expands, CCC says
The Climate Change Committee says Heathrow expansion is not compatible with UK Net Zero targets. It calls for aviation to pay the cost of removing CO2.
Aerospace

16 Sep 2026

MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
MSI-DS unveiled the TERRAHAWK RAPTOR during the opening day of DVD2026 on 16 September 2026. This RWS is optimised for C-UAS operations. Image: MSI-DS
MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
The new TERRAHAWK RAPTOR remote weapon station is designed for integration across tracked and wheeled platforms, including 4x4 vehicles and UGVs, as MSI-DS targets growing demand for mobile C-UAS capability.
Defence Security

16 Sep 2026

NP Aerospace secures new protected cab order
Protected cab
NP Aerospace secures new protected cab order
With its latest order for protected vehicle cabs, NP Aerospace has taken its total protected cab order book to over 60 units.
Defence Member News

16 Sep 2026

Scottish defence sector faces skills shortfall and ‘debanking’ concerns, MPs warn
The UK's first Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow (F88), is seen under construction at BAE Systems' shipyard in Govan, Scotland, on 29 June 2021. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Jack Eckersley
Scottish defence sector faces skills shortfall and ‘debanking’ concerns, MPs warn
A new report from the Scottish Affairs Committee has highlighted skills shortages, supply chain barriers and the ongoing ‘debanking’ of defence SMEs as challenges to Scotland’s ability to capitalise on increased UK defence investment.
Defence

16 Sep 2026

Harwell-based Open Cosmos secures €300m to scale sovereign satellite production
Open Cosmos
Harwell-based Open Cosmos secures €300m to scale sovereign satellite production
Harwell-based Open Cosmos has raised €300m to expand satellite manufacturing and space-based intelligence as the UK strengthens sovereign capability.
Defence Space

16 Sep 2026

AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
5G NTN
AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected AccelerComm to help build one of Europe's first regenerative 5G base stations that directly run onboard satellites, shifting away from today's 'bent-pipe' satellites that simply relay signals back to the ground.
Member News Space

15 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
MSI-DS unveiled the TERRAHAWK RAPTOR during the opening day of DVD2026 on 16 September 2026. This RWS is optimised for C-UAS operations. Image: MSI-DS
MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
The new TERRAHAWK RAPTOR remote weapon station is designed for integration across tracked and wheeled platforms, including 4x4 vehicles and UGVs, as MSI-DS targets growing demand for mobile C-UAS capability.
Defence Security

16 Sep 2026

UK recruits hundreds of officers in £500 billion money laundering crackdown
Home Office
UK recruits hundreds of officers in £500 billion money laundering crackdown
Following National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that over £100 billion is laundered through UK or UK corporate structures each year, 500 officers will target money laundering networks linked to organised crime, building on Operation Destabilise.
Security

16 Sep 2026

Defence and industry open collaboration hub at RAF Wyton
FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub at RAF Wyton
Defence and industry open collaboration hub at RAF Wyton
The new FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub has been opened at RAF Wyton by defence and industry partners, marking a key step in its growth as the UK's intelligence hub.