Major General Anna-Lee Reilly CB has been announced as the new Director General (DG) Core Delivery for DE&S.

She will replace Dr Simon Dakin and take up the role on promotion to Lieutenant General in the British Army, moving on from her current role as Director Strategic Capability, Engagement & Operations in August.

The DG Core Delivery role is a vital component of DE&S and our Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Maj Gen Anna-Lee will be responsible for leading nearly 8,000 people to deliver more than 700 defence programmes – from aircraft carriers to fast jets, tanks to soldiers’ boots and everything in between – which together contribute to the UK’s £13 billion spend on Defence per year.

Maj Gen Anna-Lee said: “I am delighted to have been selected to be the new Director General Core Delivery. It is a huge role that has the responsibility of overseeing the largest part of DE&S delivery and I am really looking forward to working with everyone to continue the great work that Simon Dakin has already done.

“We now have important work to do so that we can embed our ways of working to speed up delivery and meet the UK’s ambition set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Reform.

“I am incredibly proud of the work that my Strategic Capability Engagements and Operations Team has delivered over the past few years and I’m confident they will continue their fantastic and critical work in their new structures.”

Maj Gen Anna-Lee has been appointed following a Cabinet Office Commissioner led open competition.

Lt Gen Simon Hamilton, DE&S Deputy CEO, said: “Anna-Lee’s wide-ranging experience of operations means that she is perfectly placed to lead Core Delivery and build our capabilities across all our environments and technologies.

“She brings with her to the role a new perspective and enthusiasm for supporting our armed forces colleagues, and I’m looking forward to welcoming her to the ELT in due course.

“I would like to thank Anna-Lee for the exceptional leadership she’s shown in relation to our support to Ukraine. The enormity of that effort isn’t underestimated.

“The dedication and determination shown to ensure our allies are provided with the equipment and support needed to fight their ongoing war are key qualities that will help us continue driving forward our operations in future.”

As DG Core Delivery, Maj Gen Anna-Lee will also be part of the National Armaments Director Group.

Andy Start, UK National Armaments Director, said: “Anna-Lee’s appointment as DG Core Delivery is a pivotal moment for DE&S and the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group.

“As an accomplished engineer and leader, she brings a wealth of experience in delivering complex programmes and supporting capability projects across DE&S, the wider MOD and industry.

“Anna-Lee’s proven track record in driving delivery at pace and working with diverse delivery teams will be instrumental in helping DE&S and the NAD Group maximise their collective impact in equipping our Armed Forces with world-class capability.”