Maria Eagle MP is the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry at the UK Ministry of Defence. She was appointed to the role in July 2024 and also serves as the Member of Parliament for Garston and Halewood, a seat she has held since 1997.

With extensive experience in government, Maria Eagle has previously held ministerial roles across several departments, including Defence, Transport, Justice, and the Department for Work and Pensions. Her political career reflects a long-standing commitment to public service, industrial strategy, and national infrastructure.

As Minister for Defence Procurement, she is responsible for ensuring the UK Armed Forces are equipped with the capabilities they need—supporting innovation, supply chain resilience, and value for money across defence acquisition.

Acting as the National Armaments Director (NAD), a position created as part of Defence Reform, Andy will lead the National Armaments group, bringing together the teams that deliver the national ‘arsenal’. Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), elements of Defence Support and Defence Digital (by no later than 1 July 2025) will be unified, enabling greater collaboration and removing blockers to delivery. Andy will use his experience as DE&S CEO to ensure a smooth stand-up of the group whilst recruitment for the permanent appointment takes place.

Andy joined the UK Ministry of Defence from his role as CEO of Capita Public Service, one of the largest strategic suppliers to UK government. In that role he led a team of over 12,000 people to help clients across government deliver better outcomes for citizens, at lower cost to taxpayers.

Trained as an engineer, Andy spent the first decade of his career in the space business as a designer and programme manager of military satellite systems. He went on to lead a wide range of Aerospace and Defence businesses with a specialism in improving performance and driving strategic change. His roles have included: Business Unit Director of Airbus’ military space business; CEO of the software business IFS Defence; Managing Director of BAE Systems Defence Avionics; President of Harris Tactical Radio and President of Inmarsat Global Government.

Andy has completed government secondments into the MOD and the Department of Trade and Industry. In the latter role he led 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. He has been Chairman of the Medway Innovation Centre and Chairman of MidKent College, a large Further Education College which also delivers the artisan training for Royal Engineers through its subsidiary MidKent Training Services.

Andy studied electrical and electronic engineering at Portsmouth University, and management at Bournemouth University. He completed a year at the Royal College of Defence Studies and completed a Masters in International Security and Strategy at King’s College London in 2019. His thesis considered the recent changes on the structure of Defence Industry.

Outside of work Andy lives in Kent with his wife Alison; they have three grown-up children. He loves travel and enjoys participating in sports from running and mountain biking, to sailing. In addition, Andy has held an Honorary Colonel position in the 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery since May 2024.

Jim Carter is the Interim Director General Commercial and Industry.

Jim brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors and has served as Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) Commercial Director since 2020. Prior to this, Jim held senior Commercial and Procurement roles in the Cabinet Office, Network Rail, and Cable and Wireless.

Jim steps into this leadership role at a crucial time for the UK Ministry of Defence and Commercial, as MOD implements the recommendations from the Strategic Defence Review and drive forward the Defence Reform Programme.

Julie has worked in the Defence industry for three decades, predominately in Procurement and Supply Chain roles; leading in various private sector organisations and as an operating Board member, since 2003. She joined MOD as Commercial Director, Supply Chain in January 2023, bringing a valuable perspective, fresh from her leadership role within Thales UK. She joined Thales UK as Chief Procurement Officer in 2018 and was responsible for all procurement and supply chain activity across UK divisions including Defence, Cyber Security, Civil Aerospace and Ground Transportation.

Julie has led numerous successful transformation programmes across her roles within the Defence Industry and brings a huge amount of industry insight to her role in the MOD.

Major General Phil Prosser was commissioned into the REME in 1992. After an inservice Mechanical Engineering degree he served 5 Airborne Brigade Logistic Battalion; 19 Regiment Royal Artillery Workshop and 5 Battalion REME where he was selected for promotion to Major. During this time deployed to Kosovo (19 Regiment RA) and Iraq (5 Battalion REME).

As a Major he served as SO2 Officer Recruiting at RHQ REME; commanded 8 Field Company (Para) in 16 Air Assault Brigade deploying on Operation HERRICKs 4 and 8; Directing Staff at the Initial Command and Staff Course (Land); and as DCOS 4 Mechanized Brigade deploying on Operation HERRICK 12. During this time, he was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and attendance on Advanced Command
and Staff Course 15.

His initial SO1 Post was twofold: SO1 Personnel Operations and SO1 Manpower Operations in Army Headquarters. In the SO1 Personnel Operations role he delivered Personnel input to the operational planning process and for the notification process for all Army deaths (including the delivery of Op PABBAY the Army repatriation parade for personnel killed on operations).
From 2014 to 2016 he commanded 1 Close Support Battalion REME in Catterick. During this time he re-roled the Battalion to the Adaptable Force; lead on the design and delivery of a CSS exercise in Kenya; deployed on the 1st Op TEMPERER and delivered Defence Engagement activity in Nigeria. On completion of command he led a 3-month business improvement sprint assessing future fleet management options
for Warrior CSP, his team included consultants from McKinsey and Babcock.

From 2016 to 2019 he was employed in Defence Equipment and Support as the Team Lead responsible for the provision of In-Service Support to the majority of Army vehicles and worked on the strategy of support, and how to place data at the heart of business decision making. He also attended Higher Command and Staff Course in 2018.

In July 2019 he assumed command of 101 Logistic Brigade in Aldershot. His command tour took an unexpected detour in March 2020 when he deployed to HQ NHS to help with the distribution of PPE as part of the National response to COVID19; he then returned in November 2020 to assist with the Distribution of the Vaccine. He also led the Brigade HQ through a validation exercise to ensure they were ready to deploy as part of the Warfighting Division.

Previously employed as Assistance Chief of Staff Equipment in Field Army Headquarters. He was responsible for ensuring the right equipment, is in the right place at the right team to deliver mission effect safely. He assumes the role of Director Joint Supply in Strategic Command in February 2023 where he will be the lead Joint User for the end to end Supply Chain.

James Gavin is the Head of MoD Technology Transition, as Deputy Director UKDI
The UKDI exists to explore and to accelerate capabilities into Operational use.
Increasingly projects are ‘Agile By Default’ to deliver early operational advantage. The Directorate works closely with all the Front-line Commands, DSTL and the delivery portfolios within the NAD.
James has served in the military, the civil service and industry before joining the MOD. He is a passionate advocate of delivering Operational Advantage through novel ways of working, particularly though applying Agile & Spiral Development and the use of Industry Mission Partners.