Cranfield University is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Simon Jones as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of Cranfield Defence and Security, the University’s embedded capability at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham.
His academic career includes positions as Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair at Loughborough University, Dean of Engineering and Design at Bath University and Provost of Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. He has served as Chair of the Information Superiority Board of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council.
Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Cranfield’s Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am delighted to appoint Professor Jones to this important post. His distinguished academic career and his long-standing defence interests, provide an excellent background from which to lead the further development of our distinctive activities at Cranfield Defence and Security. This is an exciting time for all our colleagues at Shrivenham, and for the wider University, and I look forward to working with Simon over the years ahead.
Professor Simon Jones said: “I look forward to working with my new colleagues at Shrivenham and Cranfield. I am very excited by the prospect of building on the distinguished heritage of Cranfield University and the impact it has in defence and security. We will continue to play our full role in developing the capabilities and capacity of the UK and other nations through partnership in the delivery of high quality research and education.
Vice Admiral Duncan Potts CB, Director General for Joint Force Development and the Defence Academy, said: “I look forward to welcoming Professor Jones to the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham. Together, we will draw on the capabilities of my staff and those of Cranfield University to continuously enhance the talent across the defence and security sector and to address the opportunities and challenges which emerge from the Government’s recent Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Professor Jones replaces Professor Ian Wallace, who is retiring at the end of this year after 15 years at Cranfield.
Alongside the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Cranfield provides teaching, research and consultancy, both nationally and internationally, in subjects ranging from explosives chemistry; shock physics; electronic warfare; and forensics to cyber security; defence acquisition and strategic leadership and management.
Notes for editors
About Professor Simon Jones
Professor Simon Jones was educated at Brunel University, where he gained a PhD in computer engineering. He is a Chartered Engineer.
About the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom
The Defence Academy is responsible for postgraduate education and the majority of command, staff, leadership, defence management, acquisition and technology training for the UK Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence (MOD) Civil Servants.
It also provides non-technical research and assessment in support of the MOD, and is the MOD's primary link with UK universities and international military educational institutions.
About Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management.
Defence and Security
Cranfield University is one of the world's leading universities for defence and security education, research and consultancy.
Our staff and facilities are at the forefront of their fields, offering a diverse range of capabilities from energetics and forensic sciences to international stabilisation and cyber security.
Cranfield provides specialist knowledge to industry, security and emergency services, military, governments and NGOs, underpinning defence and security sector reform around the world. As a postgraduate academic provider to the UK’s Ministry of Defence, we offer a unique gateway to delivering practical education and solutions that make a real difference to the lives of military, security and civilian personnel.
