QinetiQ Chair Neil Johnson Addresses Connect 127
Thursday. Jun 25, 2026
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Simon Hill
Neil Johnson, Chair of the UK defence platform QinetiQ, addressed Connect 127, the business network of the Cavalry & Guards Club, at a Business Breakfast held at 127 Piccadilly on 25th June 2026. Simon Hill, Managing Director of Hill Coates and Chair of Connect 127, welcomed Neil and noted the personal significance of the occasion, as he was hosting his former Commanding Officer from 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets in the 1980’s. He remarked that, even at that time, it was clear Neil would go on to enjoy a distinguished civilian executive career, and his non-executive career has proved even more notable, having chaired seven listed companies, including a quoted private equity fund, served as an Independent Director of the British Business Bank, and now leading QinetiQ, a business with revenues of approximately £2 billion.
In his address, Neil outlined QinetiQ’s responsibility to support the development of new technologies and defence capabilities, particularly those emerging from SMEs, whose innovation plays a vital role in strengthening the defence of the UK and its allies. He emphasised that this sense of purpose is shared not only at Board and senior management level, but throughout the organisation, including its youngest apprentices. Neil then engaged in a further forty minutes of questions, responding candidly and with a level of detail not often heard from a non-executive Chair. This was greatly appreciated by members and their guests, who represented a broad cross-section of defence manufacturers and suppliers, defence technology firms, and investors from both public and private markets.
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