New Leadership in Defence Innovation
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 pivotal role will oversee a team of 4,800 innovation specialists and scientists, managing a substantial £3.7 billion budget dedicated to science, technology, and innovation over the next four years. The objective of this initiative is to ensure the United Kingdom remains at the forefront of modern warfare capabilities.
The establishment of the National Armaments Innovation area aims to leverage British ingenuity and enhance military technology as part of a broader strategy to catalyse innovation across the sector. Following a rigorous external selection process, Anthony will assume his position this Autumn, joining the Executive Committee of National Armaments as the first senior civil servant at a three-star level.
Strategic Oversight and Collaboration
In his new role, Anthony will lead the restructured National Armaments Innovation sector, which encompasses the Defence Investment Unit (DIU), the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre (DUSC), and UK Defence Innovation (UKDI). He will be responsible for a dedicated £1.6 billion defence innovation budget over the next four years, complemented by an additional £2.1 billion earmarked for core science and technology investments.
His leadership will be crucial in expediting the integration of advanced technologies, promoting partnerships with industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and government entities, while embedding innovation as a fundamental aspect of military capability.
Vision for Defence Innovation
Rupert Pearce, the National Armaments Director, remarked on Anthony’s appointment, highlighting it as a significant shift for UK Defence. He noted that this strategic move places innovation at the core of maintaining operational readiness, driving economic growth, and learning from recent conflicts to deter potential adversaries.
Pearce praised Anthony’s unique combination of frontline military experience, technical acumen, and a proven ability to implement transformative changes across Defence, government, and industry sectors. His leadership is expected to enhance the innovation ecosystem within Defence, hasten the adoption of new technologies, and ensure that the Armed Forces are equipped with the necessary capabilities for both present and future challenges.
A Proven Track Record in Defence
Before his appointment, Anthony led the UK and NATO Digital Defence division at Deloitte, where he was also the National Armaments Practice Head and Global AI Leader for Defence and Security. His extensive experience encompasses a broad spectrum of areas, including operational military service, national security, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and large-scale transformation initiatives.
In reflecting on his new role, Anthony stated, “Innovation in Defence must focus on mindset before toolset.” He expressed eagerness to collaborate with distinguished colleagues across Defence, industry, academia, and international partners to make innovation a collective endeavour, swiftly integrating new technologies into military service while fostering tangible growth for the UK.
Commitment to Future Leadership
Under Anthony’s guidance, the National Armaments Innovation sector will work to identify, develop, and leverage emerging capabilities, fortifying collaborations with industry, academia, and allies. This approach will ensure that the Armed Forces have access to the technologies and capabilities necessary for maintaining a strategic advantage in operations.
Anthony’s previous career includes managing critical communication networks and information systems for military operations, alongside serving as an infantry officer in the British Army, with deployments in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone. Prior to joining Deloitte in 2020, he provided consultancy to defence organisations on digital transformation and technology integration at Microsoft and managed significant defence and national security projects with PA Consulting and Detica.
A recognised authority on defence innovation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, Anthony is also a Board member of the AI Institute UK and serves as a mentor for future leaders through King’s College London and the Common Mission Project.