MOD Appoints First Director General of Innovation to Drive Defence Advancements

Anthony Reeves has been appointed as the inaugural Director General of Innovation, bringing with him a wealth of experience from military, governmental, and industrial sectors. This new role places him at the helm of a formidable team of 4,800 innovation experts and scientists, managing a substantial £3.7 billion budget dedicated to science, technology, and innovation over the next four years. The aim is to ensure that the United Kingdom remains at the forefront of modern warfare capabilities.

Strategic Leadership in Defence Innovation

The National Armaments Innovation initiative is designed to leverage UK ingenuity and enhance military technology in a concerted effort to accelerate innovation. Following a competitive selection process, Anthony will step into his position as a senior civil servant within the National Armaments sector, joining the Executive Committee of the Ministry of Defence as its first Director General of Innovation.

Set to commence his duties this Autumn, Anthony will spearhead the newly established National Armaments Innovation area, which encompasses around 4,800 specialists and scientists operating within various units, including the Defence Investment Unit (DIU), the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre (DUSC), and UK Defence Innovation (UKDI).

In this capacity, he will manage a dedicated £1.6 billion defence innovation budget over the next four years, in addition to facilitating a further £2.1 billion investment in essential science and technology. His leadership will be crucial in driving the swift adoption of advanced technologies, nurturing collaboration with industry, academia, and governmental departments, and embedding innovation as a fundamental military capability.

A Vision for Transformative Change

Rupert Pearce, the National Armaments Director, remarked on Anthony’s appointment, highlighting it as a significant shift for UK Defence towards prioritising innovation in maintaining combat readiness. He noted that it positions the UK as a catalyst for economic growth, particularly in light of lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, aimed at deterring potential adversaries.

Pearce emphasised that Anthony’s unique blend of frontline military experience, technical proficiency, and a proven history of transformative leadership across Defence, government, and industry will be invaluable. Under his guidance, there is an expectation to enhance Defence’s innovation ecosystem, hasten the integration of emerging technologies, and deliver the essential capabilities required by the Armed Forces both now and in the future.

A Proven Track Record and Future Aspirations

Anthony arrives at National Armaments from Deloitte, where he led the UK and NATO Digital Defence division, also holding the position of National Armaments Practice Head and Global AI Leader for Defence and Security. His extensive experience encompasses various facets of UK Defence, as well as NATO and AUKUS partnerships, engaging with defence industry stakeholders. His background includes operational military service, national security, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and large-scale transformation initiatives.

In his remarks on his new role, Anthony stated, “Innovation in Defence must be about mindset before toolset. I look forward to collaborating with exceptional colleagues across Defence, industry, academia, and our international allies to make innovation a collective endeavour, rapidly integrating new technologies into military service, and fostering tangible growth for the UK.”

Through his leadership, National Armaments Innovation is set to identify, develop, and leverage emerging capabilities, fortifying partnerships with industry, academia, and allies to ensure that the Armed Forces are equipped with the necessary technologies and capabilities to sustain operational superiority.

A Diverse Background in Defence and Technology

Anthony’s prior career involved significant responsibilities in delivering vital communications, networks, and information capabilities for military operations, alongside operational deployments as an infantry officer in the British Army, which included tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone.

Before his tenure at Deloitte began in 2020, he advised defence organisations on digital transformation and technology integration while at Microsoft, and led major defence and national security programmes with PA Consulting and Detica. He is also a prominent speaker on topics related to defence innovation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, serving as a Board member of the AI Institute UK, and mentoring future leaders through King’s College London and the Common Mission Project.