Election of SMI's Maritime Defence and Security Group Chairman

We are pleased to announce the election of Richard Powell OBE as Chair of the SMI Maritime Defence and Security Group Council for a 3 year term.

Richard, who is the Group Director for Strategic Engagement (Maritime) at QinetiQ, succeeds Brian Johnson, Business Development Director at BAES Systems Naval Ships, who served as the MDSG Chair for over 6 years.

On taking up the appointment, Richard said:

“I am greatly honoured to be taking up this prestigious role at an important time for the UK Maritime Industry. As we emerge from the Covid crisis, embrace Brexit and face the ongoing climate challenge, the maritime industry has a key role to play in the UK’s economic recovery”.

The SMI MDSG Council consists of 18 elected members who direct the activities of the Society of Maritime Industries in the maritime defence and security sector, on behalf of all its members.

About The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI):

SMI is the voice of the UK’s maritime engineering and business sector promoting and supporting companies which design, build, refit and modernise ships, and supply equipment and services for all types of commercial and naval ships, ports and terminals infrastructure, offshore oil & gas, maritime security & safety, marine science and technology, maritime autonomous systems and marine renewable energy.