Rich Drake

WORK HISTORY

ABOUT RICH DRAKE

I am a highly energetic and passionate transformational Managing Director with a track record of delivering significant business growth and profitability, through launching new business initiatives and winning significant bids. through designing compelling offers to customers within engineering, currently specialising in international defence. With a record of assembling and empowering high performing teams who consistently deliver business objectives. Achieving stretch targets and noteworthy, double-digit, growth, I am able to establish output based impactful KPIs, using measurement and learning to drive for success. I am skilled in utilising my deep technical knowledge to act as a bridge between technical and non-technical people, developing innovative solutions and quickly building effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders. Respected in the industry for my technical knowledge, including acting as a delegated design authority for UK submarines and leading design organisations within Airbus (UK) where I led the development of Landing Gear Extension & Retraction Systems solutions. I have held progressive roles at Babcock, starting as a Structural Analyst rising to Technical Director and transitioning into P&L responsibility through Business Development and Programmes Director roles. I’m currently the Managing Director of Mission Systems, a £350M revenue international engineering design, build and support business across 13 sites. With excellent communication skills, I deliver relatable messaging at all levels within the business, including delivering quarterly roadshows (500+), Main Board presentations, conference papers and technical presentations. I hold a PhD from Bath University, am a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme.