Andy Start
Biography
Andy studied electrical and electronic engineering at Portsmouth and management at Bournemouth. He completed a year at the Royal College of Defence Studies and has completed a Masters in International Security and Strategy at King’s College, London.
Trained as an engineer, Andy spent the first decade of his working career in the space business, as a designer and programme manager of military satellite systems. His career progressed to leading a wide range of aerospace and defence businesses with a specialism in helping improve performance and drive strategic change.
Andy has completed government secondments into the MOD and the Department of Trade and Industry. In the latter role he had responsibility for leading the UK Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team and supported the development of Defence Industrial Policy. He has been active throughout his career in supporting others and served on the UK Electronics Council, the board of the trade body TechUK, the board of Smart Africa, and is an active coach and mentor.
Chief Executive of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)
The Chief Executive Officer is the UK’s National Armaments Director and as the Accounting Officer for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is directly responsible to Parliament for the stewardship of DE&S’ resources.
To discharge these responsibilities, CEO has delegated authority from PUS to lead and manage DE&S:
- providing equipment and logistic support to current operations, including delivery against urgent operational requirements
- delivering funded equipment acquisition and support outputs, as agreed with Front Line Commands and the Head Office
- delivering projects to performance, time and cost targets, in accordance with agreed asset delivery plans
- managing safety, risk and environmental issues in accordance with mandated requirements and appropriate best practice
- representing UK interests in international military and political fora, including NATO and the EU