VACANCIES
10 Nov 23. Estonia Air Navigation Services seeks unmanned aviation specialist to join development team. Estonia Air Navigation Services has opened a competition to find a specialist in unmanned aerial aviation to become part of the organisation’s business development team. The candidate will contribute to data-driven decision-making, supporting the planning of business activities and achieving the company’s strategic goals. Your focus will be on developing services related to drone traffic management. If you are ready to step into the dynamic world of unmanned aviation, possess the necessary skills, and have a passion for change and innovation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Broad analytical skills and business-strategic thinking
- Innovation and solution-oriented mindset
- Systematic approach, initiative, and results-oriented mindset
- Previous relevant work experience and familiarity with regulations preferred
- Supportive higher education
- Excellent proficiency in English and Estonian
- Strong communication skills and a commitment to collaboration and stakeholder engagement
Deadline 26 November 2023
Contact: (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
LOCATIONS
LAND
14 Nov 23. Upgrades to thousands of military houses as winter response teams bolstered. Thousands of military homes will be modernised, with preparation work.
* Hundreds of millions of funding to modernise thousands of houses.
* Repair teams and call centre staffing increased ahead of winter.
* £400m prioritised for accommodation through Defence Command Paper Refresh.
Service families will see thousands of military homes modernised, with preparation work already underway, and repair staffing bolstered ahead of the winter period.
A £400m investment over the next two years was prioritised for accommodation in the Defence Command Paper Refresh to ensure good quality accommodation is provided to Service Personnel and their families. The work to modernise thousands of homes is underway, from kitchen and bathroom refits to new doors, windows and roofs to improve thermal efficiency.
In addition, this winter, contractor repair teams at Amey and VIVO and call centre staffing at Pinnacle has increased to respond to anticipated seasonal demand for maintenance to Service Family Accommodation.
The £400m investment into military homes over the next two years will deliver:
* Kitchen and/or bathroom refits in more than 1,000 homes;
* Boiler and heating upgrades for around 1,500 properties;
* More than 4,500 damp and mould remediation packages;
* Major work for more than 4,000 other properties to improve thermal efficiency, to prevent damp and mould and reduce the cost of living for service families. These works will include new doors, windows, roofs and the installation of external wall insulation; and
* Extensive, high-quality refurbishments of around 1,000 currently unused homes to increase the number of modern homes available to Service families.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “Our Armed Forces go above and beyond to serve and keep us safe, so it’s imperative they live in good quality accommodation – often that is not the case. I will not stand by and let this continue. This funding is just the beginning and military accommodation will always be a top priority. By investing in our estate, we are investing in our people, ensuring they have modernised properties, and fast and effective help when issues arise, to reflect the selfless dedication they provide to us as a nation.”
Responses to housing issues last winter were completely unacceptable and action was taken to withhold payments from our accommodation contractors to the fullest extent possible. Substantial progress has been made to improve performance since then and we are approaching this winter with a dramatically lower number of open complaints and overdue works.
The MOD has been working with contractors to further develop severe weather contingency plans to cope with severe weather events, and to ensure services can deliver and recover quickly to minimise disruption to families.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation Chief Executive, Mike Green said:
We want to ensure that military families have the quality of accommodation that they expect and rightly deserve, and through the £400 m investment we will continue our work to modernise and improve homes for thousands of families.
The service that many families experienced last winter was just not good enough and we have worked closely with our contractors to put plans in place to help us respond to the challenges that the colder months bring.
To ensure the right resources are in the right place at the right time as winter progresses, DIO and our contractors’ winter planning activities include:
* Pinnacle call handling capacity increased by 55%.
* Amey resources increased by 40%.
* VIVO has additional out-of-hours staff for urgent repairs and have created a Customer Experience team to better manage contact with families regarding issues and appointments.
* Better availability of parts, including temporary heaters which are distributed nationwide.
* Agile resource allocation processes during the coldest months.
Military accommodation will continue to receive investment over the next decade to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of the defence estate.
To talk openly about accommodation issues being faced, and to help solve the problems long-term, Service Personnel and both current and former, were invited to share their experiences with the House of Commons Defence Select Committee. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
MARITIME
15 Nov 23. Admission to Active Service of FREMM-DA Frigate Lorraine. Admiral Vaujour, Chief of the Naval Staff (CEMM), on November 13, 2023 admitted to active service, the multi-mission frigate with enhanced air defense capability (FREMM-DA) Lorraine. It is now operational and ready to deploy on the orders of the chief of defense.
The French Navy has thus taken possession of a new frigate. By 2035, the Navy will have 15 first-rank frigates: eight FREMM (including two DA air defense variants), two air defense frigates (FDA) and five future defense and intervention frigates (FDI).
The FREMM were the flagship program for the renewal of the French Navy and today constitute the backbone of the French surface fleet. FREMMs are stealthy, versatile, enduring and flexible vessels. Their main missions are: control of a maritime operating zone, on the surface and under the sea, support and support for projection operations, as well as in-depth precision strike with the Naval Cruise Missile.
They are also capable of operating the Caïman Marine (NH90) multi-role onboard helicopter, equipped with a particularly effective anti-submarine warfare capability. The FREMM–Caiman combination embodies a leap in capabilities in the field of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the performance of this ASW capability of the French Navy being recognized worldwide.
The FREMM-DA have the same anti-submarine warfare capabilities as the FREMM as well as have enhanced air defense capabilities. They benefit from major developments in the combat system, with a reduced mast (known as “wasp size”) and increased radar detection capacity.
Their firing capacity and range are increased, their fire control is improved as well as their ability to conduct air defense operations. These particular capabilities predestined the FREMM-DA Lorraine to be integrated into the French carrier strike group, and thus contributing to the escort and protection of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ French Ministry of the Armed Forces; issued Nov. 14, 2023)
15 Nov 23. Construction Starts on Brazil’s First Nuclear Submarine. On October 4, 2023, steel was first cut for Brazil’s future nuclear attack submarine Alvaro Alberto in a ceremony held by the Brazilian Navy and the Brazilian state-owned company Itaguai Construcoses Navais (ICN).
At present, the contractual arrangements are for the construction of a single submarine of this class. However, some reports suggest that three are likely to be built, with possibly a second round of three – for a final total of six.
Brazil’s nuclear submarine program is expected to have an overall startup cost of $7.4bn, which includes technology, infrastructure, logistics, and construction of the first boat.
The unit cost of the second Brazilian SSN and onward has been suggested to be around $1.2bn, but in all likelihood will be much higher.
The Brazilian SSN program was hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. With major work still required on the nuclear submarine construction yards, extensive delays are likely. Exacerbating this issue is that COVID also severely impacted France, as French companies endured long lockdowns. Moreover, there were reports that the French design offices were already overloaded by work being conducted under the French Navy Barracuda program and the Australian Attack class submarine contract. (Australia has since canceled the contract with France in order to pursue nuclear-propelled submarines in partnership with the U.S. and U.K. now known as AUKUS.)
All this was a part of the chaos that surrounded the pandemic years of 2020-2022, but the Brazilian nuclear submarine program was to suffer a worse blow. News began to spread that significant redesign work had to be undertaken on the reactors intended for the program. These reports suggested that the changes needed were extensive enough to require the reactors to be recertified. This process alone could take up to five years.
Whatever the precise mix of events, the delivery of the first Brazilian SSN has been pushed back, with a more realistic timeline putting the submarine in action around 2034. (This article was first posted on Forecast International’s Defense and Security Monitor blog.)
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Forecast International)
13 Nov 23. UAE Navy takes delivery of its first Gowind corvette.
United Arab Emirates Navy received the first Gowind corvette from an order of between two and four vessels.
Naval Group announced on 9 November the delivery of the Bani Yas, the first of two Gowind corvettes orders by the UAE.
During French President Emmanuel Macron’s November 2017 visit to the UAE, the two countries officially announced that Abu Dhabi had chosen to acquire the Gowind corvette. The deal offers the potential for two additional vessels, potentially resulting in a total of four corvettes.
The corvettes were constructed through a collaborative effort between Naval Group and Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB), a local shipbuilder. During the programme, Naval Group aimed to facilitate the transfer of technology and know-how to UAE institutions and the naval ecosystem, with the goal of enhancing the domestic industry’s capabilities.
The projected contract allocation for four units of these corvettes over 2023–33 is expected to amount to approximately $1.5bn. The overall contract value for these corvettes amounts to $1.7bn, with an anticipated per unit price of approximately $425m.
“This day marks a symbolic milestone: the delivery of Bani Yas Gowind Combat corvette, first unit of this program. Bani Yas and Al Emarat Gowind Combat corvettes are made to be the best answer to the UAE Naval Forces operational requirements. This program symbolises our joint commitment to deliver the best and is for sure the first step in a strong cooperation and longterm strategic partnership with the UAE.” said Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group.
Gowind corvettes are multi-mission surface combatants for naval defence operations and maritime security roles. Displacing 2,800 tonnes, the Bani Yas is 102 metres in length with an overall beam of 16 metres, and is designed to be highly manoeuvrable and sturdy. Naval-Group make much of its automated systems for user friendly operations, latest generation sensors and smart deployable assets.
The UAE is actively enhancing its naval capabilities, according to GlobalData’s report ‘The UAE Defense Market 2023-2028’, with a growing focus on developing expeditionary warfare abilities. The Emirati Navy has historically focused on coastal defence as its main mission, and it is currently working towards enhancing its capabilities for limited bluewater operations.
As part of this effort, the Navy placed an order for two Gowind-class corvettes built by French Naval Group (DCNS), with plans plans to acquire Falaj 2-class patrol vessels built by Italian Fincantieri. The UAE is currently engaged in the construction of four Falaj 3-class OPVs for its esteemed navy.
The Falaj-3 class is known for its versatility and reliability as an offshore patrol vessel, making it well-suited for various missions such as maritime security and search and rescue operations. It is anticipated that these vessels will be equipped with the Raytheon Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, SETIS combat management system, and MBDA Exocet anti-ship missiles. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Nov 23. Naval Group Delivers First Gowind Corvette to UAE Navy.
Delivery of the First Gowind Corvette for the United Arab Emirates Navy. The delivery ceremony for the first Gowind corvette, Bani Yas, ordered by the United Arab Emirates from Naval Group took place on 21 October 2023 in Lorient, in the presence of an official delegation from the United Arab Emirates headed by His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Navy.
Bani Yas corvette is the first of the two Gowind corvettes ordered by the United Arab Emirates to Naval Group in 2019 and built in Lorient, France. Bani Yas corvette was launched in December 2021, left Lorient on 23 October 2023 and is due to arrive in the United Arab Emirates in early December. The second corvette, Al Emarat, launched on 13 May 2022 at Naval Group’s Lorient site, will soon be starting her sea trials.
“This day marks a symbolic milestone: the delivery of Bani Yas Gowind Combat corvette, first unit of this program. Bani Yas and Al Emarat Gowind Combat corvettes are made to be the best answer to the UAE Naval Forces operational requirements. This program symbolizes our joint commitment to deliver the best and is for sure the first step in a strong cooperation and longterm strategic partnership with the UAE.” said Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group.
Bani Yas class corvettes benefit from the modular design of the Gowind family and will enable the UAE Navy to meet current and future challenges with the most advanced technologies. As part of Naval Group’s service solutions to meet all the needs of modern navies, the UAE Navy’s crew is trained in the operational use of the vessels.
The commercial success of the Gowind corvette is significant, with 12 units already selected by various navies and most of the ships locally built through technology transfer and partnerships with the local industry.
Gowind: designed for naval superiority
Gowind is Naval Group’s answer to 21st century security and defence challenges. It is a corvette-size multi-mission surface combatant offering capabilities in all areas. It is designed to perform the full spectrum of naval defence operations and maritime security roles, with the highest level of performance.
Sturdy, strongly equipped, highly manoeuvrable, Gowind integrates, through Naval Group’s SETIS Combat Management System (CMS) and innovative structural solutions, the latest generation sensors and weapons. Designed to be used against air, surface or underwater threats from the initial steps of the engineering process, Gowind® is multipurpose by design.
Gowind is a sea proven, enduring, stealth and highly survivable platform offering:
— high performance warfare capabilities integrated through the SETIS® CMS and an efficient and innovative Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM) ;
— automated systems for user-friendly operations by an optimized crew ;
— large and smart deployable assets (heavy helicopter, UAVs, RHIBs) ;
— growth potential driven by customer requirement and innovation.
Technical features
— overall length: 102 m;
— overall beam: 16 m;
— displacement: 2,800t. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
09 Nov 23. DE&S Delivers RFA ‘Mothership’ to Royal Navy. A specialist ship procured at pace by DE&S to host specialist autonomous systems that will protect the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure has been delivered to the Royal Navy.
Formerly a specialist offshore support vessel, RFA Proteus has now undergone military conversion and will safeguard vital seabed telecommunications cables and oil and gas pipelines that are a target for hostile states.
The vessel, which had her service of dedication last month, will be based at HMNB Devonport and operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, with trained Royal Navy personnel operating the state-of-the-art systems onboard.
RFA Proteus was purchased by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence, which employed innovative strategies and ways of working to purchase and deliver the ship ahead of time.
Gareth Morris, Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance team leader at DE&S, said: “Formally delivering RFA Proteus marks the culmination of a period of intensive and innovative work at DE&S. I am incredibly proud of the team who worked at extraordinary pace to deliver this highly capable ship into service whilst achieving fantastic value for money.”
RFA Proteus, delivered as part of the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) programme, is equipped with a flight deck, 1,000-square metre cargo deck, a crane for lifting and lowering operations and a ‘moon pool’ – a large access point in the bottom of the hull through which robot submersibles can be launched.
Rear Admiral Paul Carroll, Director Innovation and Future Capability at DE&S, said: “Our delivery of this new capability at pace reflects the importance of protecting our critical national infrastructure and maintain the UK’s operational edge. I am incredibly proud of our team which has worked innovatively to deliver this ship for the armed forces, and at exceptional value to the taxpayer.”
At last month’s service of dedication for RFA Proteus, Commodore David Eagles, head of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, said: “Bringing a ship into service is a demanding endeavour which relies on a diverse, multi-skilled team, strong leadership, and unflinching determination.”
Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge said: “The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is already delivering global logistics and operational support to our Royal Navy operations, and bolstering its capabilities will ensure we can continue to do so anywhere in the world. Through investing in our autonomous systems, we are building our capabilities, enabling us to better defend our critical national infrastructure and protect our seas.”
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ UK Ministry of Defence DE&S)
10 Nov 23. First Steel Cut for Finland’s Multi-Role Corvettes.
Construction Work on Finland’s Largest Warship Began in Rauma.
The Finnish Navy’s biggest project reached a new milestone when the construction of the first new Ostrobothnia-class ship started in Rauma.
Merivoimat has ordered four ships, which cost a total of 1.45 bn euros. The ships should be operational by 2029.
With the help of the new multipurpose corvettes, the integrity of Finland’s territorial waters is ensured. The ships are capable of sea mining, anti-aircraft defense and fighting enemy surface ships and submarines.
For Rear Admiral Jori Harju, Commander of the Navy, “The Squadron 2020 project improves the capabilities that we will need in the future.”
The ship is suitable for crisis management tasks and as part of NATO’s naval divisions.
The special features of Finland have been taken into account in the design of the Ostrobothnia class ships. Multipurpose corvettes have the ability to operate in the changing weather conditions of the Baltic Sea, and navigation is also successful in icy conditions. The new ships are unique in the world.
“The ship was built based on the specific needs of our country,” Harju states.
117 meter long multipurpose corvette
The new corvettes are 117 meters long, 16 meters wide and have a draft of five meters. The vessel can reach a top speed of 26 knots.
The direct employment impact of the Squadron 2020 project in Finland is approximately 3,600 person-years. It is a large order for the Rauma shipyard, which will employ personnel for years to come.
“The multipurpose corvette is the largest Finnish military ship in the world,” says Rauma Marine Constructions project director, Commodore (Ret.) Timo Ståhlhammar proudly notes.
Ståhlhammar says that finding labor for the project was challenging in certain aspects. The design of warships requires a wide range of skills, but in the end, all the experts were successfully recruited.
“The competition for experts is global,” Ståhlhammar notes.
(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Finnish Armed Forces; issued Oct. 31, 2023)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
10 Nov 23. Airbus to cut 750 jobs in defence reorganisation – sources. Airbus aims to shed 750 posts as part of a newly announced reorganisation of defence and space activities, union sources said, marking an adjustment equivalent to 2% of its headcount.
The shake-up is not currently expected to lead to compulsory redundancies and will be achieved mainly through attrition and gaps in hiring over the coming two years, they said.
An Airbus (AIR.PA) spokesperson confirmed the target in response to a query from Reuters, adding it would not result in a net reduction overall “as our business is growing in total”.
Airbus Defence & Space had 34,330 employees at end-2022.
Airbus announced the reorganisation on Wednesday after the division posted a loss following a 300-m-euro quarterly charge on unspecified satellite developments, which industry sources said included the reprogrammable OneSat family.
It also confirmed a Reuters report that it was combining two fighter businesses into one, with its share of the future Franco-German-Spanish FCAS/SCAF grouped together with the existing Eurofighter and other military aircraft and drones.
Codenamed ATOM, the revamp aims to simplify a thicket of separate programmes and reduce the number of layers in the organisationsl structure as Airbus tackles Europe’s fragmented arms industry.
The spokesperson said the revamp “is about a lot more than synergies” and would include clarifying responsibilities.
A reorganisation has been in the works most of this year.
The division faces cutbacks in French and Spanish orders on the A400M transporter, ambitious new developments such as the Eurodrone and delays and cost overruns on the Ariane 6 space launcher, for which the industry received a promise of future operating support at a European space summit earlier this week.
“The challenge that Airbus and (CEO) Guillaume Faury have is restructuring and cost-cutting when dealing with a multiplicity of national sovereignty businesses,” Agency Partners analyst Sash Tusa said.
As part of a separate management reorganisation of its civil business, Faury is due to step back from the day-to-day running of planemaking and focus on strategy for other activities starting in January.
Faury said on Wednesday the simplified structure in defence and space would be in place early next year. (Source: Google/Reuters)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
16 Nov 23. Bundeswehr medium brigades take shape. Lieutenant Colonel Karlheinz Boehnke, Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) Boxer representative in the German Army Concept and Capabilities Development Centre, gave an update on the Bundeswehr’s plans to form medium brigades on the second day of SAE Media Group’s Future Armoured Vehicles Survivability (FAVS) 2023 conference held in London from 13 to 15 November. He said the Bundeswehr would have four medium brigades, including the Franco-German Brigade and one formed with the Netherlands. The German formations will be the 21st and 41st medium brigades and along with the Franco-German Brigade will be formed by five heavy weapon carrier (HWC) and two armoured infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) battalions, with support units including headquarters and services companies, signals companies, artillery battalions, engineer battalions, and combat service support battalions. In addition, the two German medium brigades will each have a reconnaissance company. The brigades will be at 72-hour readiness and be equipped with Boxer AIFVs, HWCs, and Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155s, in addition to a next-generation armoured transport vehicle, possibly the 6×6 Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS), according to Lt Col Boehnke. (Source: Janes)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Nov 23. Ministerial appointments: November 2023.
The King has been pleased to approve the following government appointments.
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
* Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP
Cabinet Office
* Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office – Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP
* Minister of State (Minister without Portfolio) – Richard Holden MP*
* Paymaster General, and Minister for the Cabinet Office – Rt Hon John Glen MP*†
* Minister of State (Minister without Portfolio) – Rt Hon Esther McVey MP†
* Minister of State (Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) – Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP†
* Minister of State – Nusrat Ghani MP (jointly with the Department for Business and Trade)
* Minister of State – Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG*
* Parliamentary Secretary – Alex Burghart MP
HM Treasury
* Chancellor of the Exchequer – Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
* Chief Secretary to the Treasury – Laura Trott MBE MP†
* Minister of State (Financial Secretary to the Treasury) – Nigel Huddleston MP
* Parliamentary Secretary (Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury) – Gareth Davies MP
* Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) – Bim Afolami MP
* Parliamentary Secretary – Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
* Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs – Rt Hon David Cameron
* Minister of State (Minister for Development) – Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP†
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP
* Minister of State – Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon*
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Lord Benyon* (jointly with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Leo Docherty MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – David Rutley MP
Home Office
* Secretary of State for the Home Department – Rt Hon James Cleverly MP
* Minister of State (Minister for Security) – Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MBE MP†
* Minister of State (Minister for Immigration) – Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP†
* Minister of State (Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire) – Rt Hon Chris Philp MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Laura Farris MP (jointly with the Ministry of Justice)
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Sharpe of Epsom OBE
Ministry of Defence
* Secretary of State for Defence – Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon James Heappey MP
* Minister of State – James Cartlidge MP
* Minister of State – Earl of Minto*
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Dr Andrew Murrison MP
Ministry of Justice
* Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice – Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Edward Argar MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Mike Freer MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Gareth Bacon MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Laura Farris MP (jointly with the Home Office)
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Bellamy KC*
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
* Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology – Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP
* Minister of State – Julia Lopez MP (jointly with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport)X
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP (jointly with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport)*X
* Minister of State – Andrew Griffith MP*
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Saqib Bhatti MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Viscount Camrose*
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
* Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations – Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
* Minister of State – Lee Rowley MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Felicity Buchan MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Jacob Young MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Simon Hoare MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Baroness Penn
Department of Health and Social Care
* Secretary of State for Health and Social Care – Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson MP
* Minister of State – Helen Whately MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Maria Caulfield (jointly with the Department for Business and Trade (Minister for Women))
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Markham CBE*
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
* Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Lord Benyon* (jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Rebecca Pow MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Robbie Moore MP
Office of the Leader of the House of Commons
* Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons – Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP
Office of the Leader of the House of Lords
* Lord Privy Seal, and Leader of the House of Lords – Rt Hon Lord True CBE
* Minister of State (Deputy Leader of the House of Lords) – Rt Hon Earl Howe GBE*
Department for Business and Trade
* Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities – Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP
* Minister of State, and Minister for London – Rt Hon Greg Hands MP
* Minister of State – Nusrat Ghani MP (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
* Minister of State – Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE*
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Kevin Hollinrake MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Offord of Garvel* (jointly with the Scotland Office)
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) – Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP (jointly with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Women) – Maria Caulfield (jointly with the Department of Health and Social Care)
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
* Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero – Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Andrew Bowie MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Callanan
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State* – Amanda Solloway MP (and a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury))
Department for Work and Pensions
* Secretary of State for Work and Pensions – Rt Hon Mel Stride MP
* Minister of State – Tom Pursglove MP
* Minister of State – Jo Churchill MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Mims Davies MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Paul Maynard MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Viscount Younger of Leckie
Department for Education
* Secretary of State for Education – Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – David Johnston OBE MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Baroness Barran MBE*
Department for Transport
* Secretary of State for Transport – Rt Hon Mark Harper MP
* Minister of State – Huw Merriman MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Anthony Browne MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Guy Opperman MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Davies of Gower
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
* Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport – Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP
* Minister of State – Julia Lopez MP (jointly with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)X
* Minister of State – Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP (jointly with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)*X
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP (jointly with the Department for Business and Trade (Minister for Equalities))
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Northern Ireland Office
* Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP
* Minister of State – Steve Baker MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State* – Lord Caine (and a Lord in Waiting)
Scotland Office
* Secretary of State for Scotland – Rt Hon Alister Jack MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – John Lamont MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Lord Offord of Garvel* (jointly with the Department for Business and Trade)
Wales Office
* Secretary of State for Wales – Rt Hon David T C Davies MP
* Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Fay Jones MP
Whips – House of Commons
* Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip) – Rt Hon Simon Hart MP†
* Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip) – Marcus Jones MP
* Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip) – Rebecca Harris MP
* Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Government Whip) – Stuart Anderson MP
Junior Lords of the Treasury
* Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) – Rt Hon Dame Amanda Milling MP
* Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) – Scott Mann MP
* Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) – Amanda Solloway MP (and a Parliamentary under Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero*)
* Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) – Joy Morrissey MP
* Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) – Mike Wood MP
Assistant Whips (Commons)
* Assistant Government Whip – Ruth Edwards MP
* Assistant Government Whip – Robert Largan MP
* Assistant Government Whip – Gagan Mohindra MP
* Assistant Government Whip – Mark Jenkinson MP
* Assistant Government Whip – Mark Fletcher MP
* Assistant Government Whip – Suzanne Webb MP
* Assistant Government Whip – Aaron Bell MP
Whips – House of Lords
* Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms (Lords Chief Whip) – Rt Hon Baroness Williams of Trafford
* Captain of The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (Deputy Chief Whip) – Earl of Courtown
Baronesses and Lords in Waiting
* Lord in Waiting – Lord Harlech
* Lord in Waiting – Lord Evans of Rainow
* Lord in Waiting – Lord Caine (and a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office*)
* Baroness in Waiting – Baroness Swinburne*
* Lord in Waiting – Lord Gascoigne
Law Officers
* Attorney General – Rt Hon Victoria Prentis MP†
* Solicitor General – Michael Tomlinson MP
* HM Advocate General for Scotland – Lord Stewart of Dirleton KC
Key
*unpaid
† attends Cabinet
X Julia Lopez MP has been re-appointed as a Minister of State jointly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology following her maternity leave.
The Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP will continue to be a Minister of State (unpaid) jointly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology for a short transitional period. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
13 Nov 23. Mr Jonathan Hargreaves has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo in succession to Mr Nicholas Abbott who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Hargreaves will take up his appointment in early 2024.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
15 Nov 23. Air Marshal Darren Goldie recalled to Defence, replaced as national cyber security coordinator. The Department of Defence has released a brief statement, citing “a workplace matter”, while deputy secretary of cyber and infrastructure security Hamish Hansford will now take up the role. Australia’s first national cyber security coordinator has been suddenly recalled to Defence and will no longer be responsible for the role. Defence released a brief statement to the media today (15 November). “National cyber security coordinator, Air Marshal Darren Goldie, AM, CSC, has been recalled to Defence to deal with a workplace matter related to his time in Defence. He is currently on leave. While the matter is under consideration, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” the Defence statement said. “The welfare of our people remains our priority, and it is requested that Air Marshal Goldie’s privacy is respected at this time.” Defence has not provided any further information. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Nov 23. Will Tucker appointed Managing Director of Bertin Exensor Ltd. Bertin Exensor is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Managing Director for its UK branch. The nomination of Will Tucker marks a significant moment for the company as it charts a course for continued growth and innovation.
- Will, for how long have you been working at Bertin Exensor?
“I have been with Bertin Exensor since 2017 and took on the Production Director position almost 2 years ago. “
- A few words on your academic background and previous experience?
“In 2010 I graduated from the University of Bath with a First-Class Masters Degree in Electronic and Communication Engineering. I started immediately working in defence-related technologies and gradually moved from Engineering into Product Management. I have been very fortunate to work on some incredibly interesting projects that have taken me all over the world. And because one having Master’s degree was clearly not enough, between 2019 and 2022 I also undertook a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Technology Management with the Open University.”
- How will your missions evolve with this new position?
“Being the MD of Bertin Exensor brings with it a range of new responsibilities and challenges. Whilst maintaining the focus on delivering our world-class Flexnet products my role has now expanded to include some of our other projects and programmes whilst also providing leadership for the UK entity.”
- What makes you so passionate about the company and its products?
“From the moment I joined Bertin Exensor I recognized that the passion for our world-leading capabilities is shared with our customers. This close partnership means we are always at the forefront of our sector and are able to offer significant advantage to the end user. In addition, every day I work with incredibly talented, skilled people both here in the UK, in our Swedish office and in our parent company, Bertin Technologies. It’s for all these reasons and many more that I can truly say I am delighted to be part of such a special company.”
The role of a Managing Director extends beyond internal operations; it involves fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, including employees, clients, investors, and the community. Will Tucker is anticipated to uphold a commitment to transparency, integrity, and corporate responsibility, ensuring that the company remains a valued and trusted entity within its ecosystem.
The nomination of Will Tucker as Managing Director heralds a new chapter in the journey of Bertin Exensor. We wish him the best in his new position.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
13 Nov 23. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that Tanya M. Skeen, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition (Acting), has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development. In this role, she will have a pivotal impact on the company’s growth by providing guidance and recommendations on investments to further advance CACI’s capabilities aimed at satisfying our customers’ future mission needs. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 Nov 23. Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks and leading provider of connectivity to the U.S. Government, has tapped David J. Broadbent as its new President, Government Solutions. Effective today, Broadbent is responsible for Intelsat’s government business globally and joins the company’s seven-member Management Committee. He reports to Intelsat Chief Executive Officer David C. Wajsgras. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
15 Nov 23. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, today announced the departure of Dr. Mitch Stevison, Executive Vice President and President of Mercury’s Mission Systems division, effective December 1, 2023. Dr. Stevison will pursue a new opportunity outside of the company. Mercury Chairman and CEO Bill Ballhaus will lead the Mission Systems team until a permanent leader is identified.