28 Jul 04. Peter Bedwin MBE has joined the board of HVR Consulting Services Ltd as a non executive director. Peter, who had a distinguished career in the RAF, retired from ITT Defence Ltd in February 2004, where he was Managing Director responsible for all UK operations. Peter will bring his considerable experience and knowledge of the defence sector to HVR. Peter Cook the Chief Executive of HVR said yesterday “I have worked closely with Peter over the past five years on various UK defence programmes including the Bowman Communications project and have been impressed with Peter’s knowledge of the defence sector and the sound advice he has provided.
23 Jul 04. Northrop Grumman Corporation has named Christopher A. Waln vice president of strategy for the company’s Information Technology (IT) sector. Waln is reporting to James O’Neill, president, Northrop Grumman IT until a new vice president for business development and strategy is selected for the sector. Waln is responsible for developing the IT sector’s overall business strategy, identifying external business opportunities and implementing strategic and operational plans.
27 July 2004. Marconi Selenia Communications, a Finmeccanica Company, has announced the appointment of General Sir Jeremy Mackenzie, GCB OBE, to the Board of Directors of Marconi Selenia Communications Holdings (UK) Limited. The appointment of Sir Jeremy is a significant landmark in Marconi Selenia’s development in the UK. After a full and successful career in the British Army, commanding at every level from Platoon to Corps, Sir Jeremy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role. He will help both expand activity and growth of the business in the UK, and also in the export market. Sir Jeremy Mackenzie was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and commissioned into the Queen’s Own Highlanders in July 1961. He was Commandant of the British Army Staff College, Camberley and has an in-service Fellowship from King’s College, London University. As Commander of the 1st British Corps, he was knighted (KCB) and subsequently commanded NATO’s Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps as its first Commander.
28 Jul 04. Just before last week’s Farnborough air show, Alex Dorrian, head of UK operations for Paris-based defence contractor Thales, was given an additional title: executive vice-president for international operations. The affable Scot now oversees all non-French business for the globally ambitious arms hawker. On the surface, this looks like Dorrian’s reward for building Thales into the UK’s second-largest military contractor. It submitted the winning design for the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers and last week won a contract to build the British army’s fleet of unmanned surveillance drones. But defence industry executives say the promotion has as much to do with Dorrian’s external reputation. At least two offers came Dorrian’s way this spring. One was from Finmeccanica, the Italian defence group that suddenly finds itself with a substantial UK business, having moved to acquire all of helicopter maker AgustaWestland as well as parts of BAE Systems’ avionics unit.The offer to head Finmeccanica’s UK operation apparently was so competitive that Denis Ranque, Thales’s chief executive, was persuaded to give Dorrian the world. (Source:FT)
26 Jul 04. US Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Timothy J. McGee is being assigned as commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Stennis Space Center, Miss. McGee is currently assigned as deputy/vice commander/assistant chief of Naval Research, Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va.