New Chairman of the Dstl Board
Sir David Pepper has been named as the new Chair of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Board.
Sir David Pepper, who will take up his appointment as the new Chair of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Board on 1 August 2014, has a background in defence and security issues, having been Director of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) from 2003 to 2008.
Since retiring from GCHQ, he has done consulting work on cyber risk and national security issues in both public and private sectors. He was a member of the previous government’s National Security Forum, a Fellow of the Sunningdale Institute and a non-executive member of the Board of the National School of Government. He had a non-executive role with Gloucestershire County Council from 2008 to 2010, and has been a member of the Advisory Board of Thales UK and an adviser to Deloitte LLP.
Sir David takes over from Sir Richard Mottram who has been in the position since 2008. Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne MP says:
Sir Richard has done a sterling job at Dstl and I would like to thank him for the significant contribution he has made to ensuring we have the best science and technology for the defence and security of the UK. I look forward to working with Sir David as he continues this vitally important work.
As the Chair, Sir David will lead the Dstl Board, whose role is to support and challenge the Dstl executive in the development of business strategies, plans, business cases and targets, and to monitor Dstl’s business performance against the approved corporate plan.
Dstl Chief Executive Jonathan Lyle says:
It has been a privilege to work closely with Sir Richard over the last few years. He has been an outstanding Chair for Dstl through a period of significant change. Sir David brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience to the role. I look forward to working with him as we seek to maximise the impact of science and technology for the defence and security of the UK.
Sir David says of his appointment:
I am delighted to be taking up this role with Dstl. It is an exciting organisation with a vital function in our defence and national security, and I am very much looking forward to working with Jonathan Lyle and his team and supporting their work.
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