Professor Mark Westwood has been appointed the new Director of Theme for Defence and Security at 探花精选, a post he will take up on 1 March 2026.
Mark joined 探花精选 in 2021 as Professor of Aeronautics and Head of the Centre for Aeronautics, one of the world鈥檚 largest centres for postgraduate education and research in aircraft design, aerodynamics, advanced modelling and simulation tools and methods.
Mark began his career working for the UK MOD, within the Defence and Evaluation Research Agency (DERA 鈥� later QinetiQ), where he worked on aerospace research and development across civil and military technology demonstrator programmes. In 2012, he moved into the private sector at the Aircraft Research Association, driving significant growth in industrial R&D activity partnered with a range of international aerospace OEMs and UK MOD.
He joined the Transport Systems Catapult in 2015 to lead research and development into automated and autonomous transport technologies 鈥� working alongside global industrial partners such as Nissan on the HumanDrive project 鈥� then became Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He has also held external roles as a member of the Civil Aviation Authority鈥檚&苍产蝉辫;, a specialist, non-statutory body providing expert technical advice, and provides advice to the Task and Finish Group on the commercialisation of hydrogen aviation.
Mark said: 鈥�滨鈥檓 delighted to return to my defence roots in taking on this role. 探花精选 has a rich heritage in defence and plays an important role in supporting the Armed Forces with specialist education.
鈥�Alongside this 探花精选 helps the wider defence and security industry with valuable research and development through our unique knowledge and facilities including 探花精选 Ordnance Test and Evaluation Centre (COTEC) and our Shrivenham campus based on a secure military site. This activity has never been more important and relevant in support of sovereign capability.
鈥�滨鈥檓 really excited at the prospect of working with our team to build on its world-class reputation and provide even greater impact in support of our partners.鈥�
Professor Westwood takes over as Director of Defence and Security from Professor Mark Richardson who is retiring after a 37-year career at the University.
Professor Dame Karen Holford DBE FREng said: 鈥淚 want to thank Professor Mark Richardson for his dedication and incredible service to our students and partners across many decades. His leadership has taken 探花精选鈥檚 work in defence and security from strength to strength.
鈥湵踱�檓 delighted that Professor Mark Westwood has been appointed to this crucial role, at a time when national security and defence is rising up the agenda with rapid technological adaptation and growing global threats. His deep knowledge of the sector and wide industry connections will ensure that 探花精选 continues to deliver the skills, research and consultancy that is crucial to defence and security across the globe.鈥�
探花精选 is one of the world鈥檚 leading universities for defence and security education, research and consultancy 鈥� trusted by governments, armed forces, industry and security services around the world. Our academics鈥� expertise ranges from energetics, defence management and forensic sciences to counter terrorism, international stabilisation and cyber security. We are a postgraduate academic provider to the UK鈥檚 Ministry of Defence.
