RAD, which specialises in electric propulsion and maritime autonomy, has appointed Chris Shepherd to lead the expansion of its defence business, effective 1 May 2026.
Shepherd joins RAD at a pivotal time, as defence customers increasingly seek uncrewed, low-signature and energy-efficient maritime systems. He will focus on extending the company’s capabilities into the defence domain and supporting next-generation naval operations.
Shepherd will be responsible for expanding RAD’s involvement in UK defence programmes, developing strategic partnerships across prime contractors, SMEs and autonomy providers, and positioning RAD’s technology at the core of future uncrewed maritime capability.
“RAD has already established itself as a leader in electric propulsion and maritime autonomy,” says Shepherd. “The opportunity now is to apply that expertise to defence, where there is clear and growing demand for uncrewed, energy-efficient systems.
“I’m excited to help scale RAD’s impact in this space and work with partners across the ecosystem to deliver meaningful capability.”
Previously, Shepherd has worked across the defence, aerospace and autonomy sectors, with senior roles at Thales, L3Harris and MBDA. His track record includes leading business units, recovering challenging programmes and delivering critical capability into service at pace, including in operationally urgent environments.
More recently, he has been in the uncrewed maritime sector, leading the rapid deployment of autonomous surface systems for defence customers and supporting innovative operations for the UK and allied nations. He has also advised a number of SMEs in the autonomy and maritime sectors, helping them scale, compete and secure wins in demanding defence markets.
“There is a clear shift underway towards electrification, modularity and open architectures in naval capability, and RAD is well positioned to play a leading role,” says Dan Hook, CEO of RAD. “Chris’s appointment strengthens our ability to partner, scale and deliver at pace in this important market.”
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