The Defence Secretary, with approval from the Prime Minister, has appointed Rupert Pearce as National Armaments Director (NAD) at the Ministry of Defence. The five-year fixed-term appointment marks a pivotal step in the most significant overhaul of UK defence in over half a century.
The NAD role will be central to delivering the government’s Plan for Change, accelerating procurement decisions, cutting waste, and improving outcomes for the Armed Forces. Working with the Defence Secretary, Pearce will drive implementation of the Strategic Defence Review and ensure the Armed Forces are equipped to respond to growing global threats.
The new Director brings extensive leadership experience from the private sector, notably 16 years at FTSE100 satellite firm Inmarsat, including nine as CEO. He also served as CEO of Highview Power and as a Venture Partner at Columbia Capital, bringing expertise in innovation and venture investment to his new role.
He will take up the position on October 14, succeeding interim NAD Andy Start, who will support him during the transition period.
“The Armed Forces must have cutting-edge capabilities to project an effective deterrent, both alone and with our allies,” said Pearce. “To achieve this, we will transform the MOD’s partnership with industry so that UK defence becomes a strategic asset, innovating at wartime pace and driving economic growth.”
The NAD will be responsible for delivering the Defence Industrial Strategy, ensuring a resilient supply chain, and overseeing a consolidated investment budget. This will replace eight existing procurement budgets, reducing duplication while strengthening readiness and NATO interoperability. The role also includes leading on defence exports and acquisition reform.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “The National Armaments Director will be a cornerstone of defence reform, positioning the UK to meet evolving global threats while making defence an engine for growth. Rupert is an exceptional leader with deep experience in major reform and global delivery. He will ensure our forces get the equipment they need, on time and on budget.”
The appointment follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament.
