North Defence strengthens team with senior duo

Military vehicle manufacturer North Defence has made two senior appointments as the £25 million business prepares for its next phase of technology development.

Greg Homewood has joined as chief engineer, bringing 15 years’ defence sector experience and extensive expertise in autonomous technology.

He most recently led a robotics team working on unmanned ground vehicle projects for a major prime contractor.

Meanwhile, British Army veteran Russell Bailey has also joined as chief defence liaison officer following a career spanning more than three decades.

He served on missions including Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, before retiring as a major earlier this summer after serving as second in command of Old College at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Working from North Defence’s West Yorkshire facilities, Greg will support the development and deployment of next-generation battlefield technology, while Russell will strengthen engagement with military stakeholders and collaboration between the company's UK manufacturing hubs and Luxembourg innovation centre.

Russell added: “Oliver may have left the army many years ago, but psychologically he still works with his beret on. 

“He and the team are so close to what’s happening, with such a constant hunger to adapt, that they’ve become critical to the mission.

“It’s my role to build on that, even more. 

“North Defence isn’t only interested in how military technology must evolve functionally, the team cares about how people feel too. 

“So, from understanding the needs of strategic decision makers to serving soldiers, we will never stand still.”

Founder and chief executive Oliver North added: “A couple of months ago, I was invited to NATO HQ in Brussels, where one of the biggest topics of conversation was agility. 

“There’s a growing realisation that in the defence ecosystem, size matters, and SMEs like ours have a huge role to play. 

“We have built this company so that we are not only adaptable, but ready for anything. 

“To maintain this position though, we must invest – to stand still would be to get left behind. 

“We design vehicles for the most volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environments, so the capability, integrity and ambition of our team has to be unrivalled.”

Oliver added: “Wind back the clock and Greg and Russell are two local guys from humble beginnings, who have each progressed to the top of their game in their respective careers.

“But ego is left at the door. 

“We have a culture where we want to learn from each other, and do well for each other – ‘family’ isn’t just a cliche, but a reality. 

“In fact, Greg is the brother of our chief technical officer, Luke Homewood, so a passion for defence really must be in their genes!”

Their appointments come as Oscar North, son of founder Oliver North, has also graduated as a production engineer after beginning his apprenticeship with the group two years ago.

Oscar added: “From day one, Oscar started at ‘the bottom’ with humility and respect, knowing he was going to be mentored by a world-class team of peers. 

“When I see the position he’s earned himself within the team, ‘proud’ doesn’t even start to cover it!”

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