US defence technology company Anduril Industries announced on 20 November 2023 the appointment of Richard Drake as the general manager of Anduril UK and the broader European region.
The company noted in a press release that Drake’s mission in his new post will be to “steer Anduril as it continues a high growth trajectory in the UK” and that the appointment “signals Anduril’s intent to replicate its successful approach to autonomous defence capabilities in other strategic regional markets”.
Drake has 16 years of experience in the defence market. In his previous role at Babcock International he was chief executive of mission systems and group chief technology officer, responsible for driving innovation and technology across the group and managing more than 1,500 staff, reporting directly to the group CEO. Drake previously held the roles of programme director, business development director, and engineering director in the same business, where he led engineering activities for nearly 10 years. Prior to this Drake was the head of landing gear extension and retraction systems within Airbus.
Founded in 2017, Anduril now employs almost 2,200 people globally, more than 40 of whom are in the UK, and is valued at over GBP 6.9 Bn (EUR 7.9 Bn). Anduril continues to make a significant impact in Europe and was recently awarded a GBP 17 M contract with the UK Ministry of Defence Strategic Command to employ counter-intrusion and counter-uncrewed aerial system capabilities at multiple locations across the UK Ministry of Defence estate, including a number of Permanent Joint Operating Bases (PJOBs).
Commenting on his new role, Drake was quoted as saying, “I am delighted to be joining Anduril. This is a business with an exciting proposition, a desire to set ambitious industry benchmarks, and a clear, aspirational purpose: to reboot the arsenal of democracy. I very much look forward to working with the many capable and motivated people in the UK and Europe business to achieve concerted strategic growth, serve our customers with advanced technology and apply my passion for design and product development to Anduril.”
