QinetiQ appoints two new Directors
They will both join the Executive Committee reporting to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Wadey.
Steve Wadey, QinetiQ CEO said: “As we continue to deliver on our strategy, both James and Steve have proven track records of growth in their businesses, good customer relationships and experience of working in international markets. I am very pleased to have appointed two leaders with such considerable experience to our Executive Committee and am confident they will both make significant contributions to our future growth.”
James Willis (right) is currently Head of Defence & Security at Vodafone UK. Over the nine years that James has led this business he and his team have grown it significantly to become a key player in the defence and security market. Key wins included the Foreign & Commonwealth Office ‘Echo’ contract for secure communications services to over 170 countries in support of the UK Government.
Prior to his current role James served as an Officer in the Royal Engineers for seven years before joining GE Capital where he worked across Europe in a number of operational and business transformation roles. After two years with Liberata Outsourcing as Offshore Director he joined Cable & Wireless where he subsequently took up the role as Head of Defence & Security before Cable & Wireless’ acquisition by Vodafone in 2012. James will be taking up his role at QinetiQ in July 2017.
Steve Fitz-Gerald (left) was Chief Executive Officer of the Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group until he stood down in early 2017. He was previously President of Cobham Aviation Services Division and Group Commercial Director for BAE Systems Avionics. An electronic engineer by background, he held senior commercial roles with Plessey and Marconi earlier in his career.
Steve brings significant experience of working in QinetiQ’s three home markets – the US and Australia in addition to the UK. His achievements include managing the integrated combat system into service for the Royal Navy’s Type 22 Frigates; forming the sonar joint venture between Thomson CSF and GEC Marconi; integrating and rationalising BAE Systems interests in Australia; negotiating behavioural undertakings with both the UK and US Governments; and playing a key role in the negotiation and implementation of the civil maritime surveillance contract in Australia.
Steve Fitz-Gerald will join QinetiQ in June 2017. He will succeed Sarah Kenny as MD for MLW at the end of July when she leaves QinetiQ to become Chief Executive of BMT, a consultancy group specialising in the maritime market.
Steve Wadey continued, “Sarah has made a major contribution shaping our growth strategy and forming the Maritime, Land & Weapons business unit which has just completed its first successful year. We wish her all the best for the future.”
