LONDON — A security industry expert has been appointed as the new head of the British government's defense and security export support organization.
Stephen Phipson, currently a director in the Office of Counter Terrorism and Security at the Home Office, becomes head of the Defence and Security Organisation ( DSO), the government announced. He takes over as DSO boss next month following Richard Paniguian's decision to stand down after a six-and-a-half-year stint in charge of the organization, which supports Britain's defense and security industry export effort.
Paniguian, an ex-oil industry executive who was knighted in the Queen's New Years honors list, is returning to the private sector.
Prior to joining government, Phipson held a number of industry positions including president of Smiths Detection and vice president for security at ADS, the industry lobby group.
Phipson has previously worked with DSO, having served as chair of the DSO security sector advisory group.
DSO, which was created in 2008 after the Labour administration closed down the Ministry of Defence-run Defence Export Services Organisation, is part of the UK Trade & Investment department.
Dominic Jermey, the chief executive at UKTI, said Phipson's "business background and understanding of Whitehall make him uniquely qualified to lead UKTI DSO into its next phase of development, building on the many successes Sir Richard Paniguian has achieved at the helm."
DSO reported overseas defense industry sales in 2013 of £9.8 billion (US $14.9 billion) with the fast growing security effort contributing a further £3.2 billion in exports.
Email: achuter@defensenews.com.
Andrew Chuter is the United Kingdom correspondent for Defense News.
