New Chairman For Dstl's Technology Transfer Company

Online, March 26, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Dstl maximises the impact of science and technology for the defence and security of the UK. It provides the Government with a wide programme of scientific and technical support based on deep and widespread research.

Ploughshare Innovations was formed in 2005 to commercialise and exploit Dstl's intellectual property generated from its research. Since its establishment, Ploughshare has licensed more than 75 technologies and launched five spin-out companies, principally for civilian applications. Ploughshare, supported by Dstl's Intellectual Property Group, has also negotiated licences in the defence field resulting in research being pulled through into defence products to meet defence requirements.

The new Chairman, Piers White MBE, takes over from Nick Winterton who has been in post for four years, during which time Ploughshare has continued to develop and improve its business. Piers is a banker by background and has held Board/Senior Executive positions at Insinger de Beaufort, where he was UK CEO, Flemings and Barclays. He brings more than 10 years experience as a Non-Executive Director within technology-orientated Public Sector and public purpose organisations.

Dstl's Chief Executive Jonathan Lyle says: "We are fortunate to have secured someone of Piers' calibre and experience for this key role, and I look forward to working with him to help Ploughshare go from strength to strength."

Piers says: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to build on the good work of Nick Winterton in leading the Board of this exciting business. Ploughshare Innovations Limited is at an important point in its development and represents an interesting opportunity for private sector businesses to benefit from the leading scientific work of Dstl."