The Ministry of Defence has appointed Anthony Reeves as its first Director General Innovation, a new senior leadership role with responsibility for accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies across the Armed Forces.
The appointment forms part of the department’s drive to turn advances in digital technology, AI and science into military capability, with innovation intended to become a core part of how defence maintains operational advantage.
Reeves will lead the newly designed National Armaments Innovation area, bringing together around 4,800 experts and scientists. Its organisations include the Defence Investment Unit, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre and UK Defence Innovation.
He will oversee a ringfenced £1.6 billion defence innovation budget over the next four years, alongside supporting £2.1 billion of investment in core science and technology.
Appointed following an external competition, Reeves joins the National Armaments Executive Committee as a three-star-equivalent senior civil servant. He takes up the role this autumn.
His remit includes identifying and developing emerging capabilities, strengthening collaboration with industry, universities and international partners, and getting new technologies into military service more quickly.
Commenting on his appointment, Reeves said: “Innovation in Defence must be about mindset before toolset.”
He said his priorities included making innovation a shared responsibility across defence, bringing technologies into service at pace and supporting UK economic growth.
National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce linked the appointment to maintaining military readiness and applying lessons from Ukraine. He said Reeves’ combination of frontline experience, technical expertise and transformation leadership would support the adoption of emerging technologies.