Head of Innovation & Research
Jake Rigby is Head of Research & Development, responsible for the portfolio management of internal research projects. This covers a broad range of research topics from ship and submarine design to digital twins and artificial intelligence. Through this role he leads the horizon scanning activities of BMT, tracking external trends and developing the reactive technology roadmaps. He is always on the lookout for the next emerging technology that can revolutionise or incrementally change the way we and our customers operate.
He is a charted engineer and Member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects originally training as a Naval Architect specialising in ship signatures before his current role of Head of Research & Development. He is a proud member of range of different industry research and technology forums; one of which is the recently formed Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) for which he leads the “Clean Maritime” research theme. This is an area he is particularly passionate about, investigating how industry, government and academia can work together to provide an economical and sustainable future for the maritime sector.
Jake is also responsible for Academic Engagement at BMT. In recognition of his work to progress Academic Engagement in the maritime sector he was awarded the title of Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Exeter, and continues to engage in a range of collaborative research projects.
Head of Innovation & Research
Jake Rigby is Head of Research & Development, responsible for the portfolio management of internal research projects. This covers a broad range of research topics from ship and submarine design to digital twins and artificial intelligence. Through this role he leads the horizon scanning activities of BMT, tracking external trends and developing the reactive technology roadmaps. He is always on the lookout for the next emerging technology that can revolutionise or incrementally change the way we and our customers operate.
He is a charted engineer and Member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects originally training as a Naval Architect specialising in ship signatures before his current role of Head of Research & Development. He is a proud member of range of different industry research and technology forums; one of which is the recently formed Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) for which he leads the “Clean Maritime” research theme. This is an area he is particularly passionate about, investigating how industry, government and academia can work together to provide an economical and sustainable future for the maritime sector.
Jake is also responsible for Academic Engagement at BMT. In recognition of his work to progress Academic Engagement in the maritime sector he was awarded the title of Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Exeter, and continues to engage in a range of collaborative research projects.
Senior Sales Manager - Submarines
Paul Burke is BMT’s Business Development Manager for Submarines. Prior to joining the company he enjoyed a 33-year career in the Royal Navy submarine service, in all types of submarines, including conventional, and command of an attack submarine, a deterrent submarine, then ‘Teacher’ of the Commanding Officer Course (Perisher).
After 18 years at sea his shore time began in the Directorate of Navy Resources and Plans, then Joint Force Headquarters, including some time in Afghanistan, followed by a higher policy focus with three years in US Strategic Command, Omaha, Nebraska, and the last seven years as a Captain and Commodore in MOD Main Building, in the Naval Staff and the Defence Nuclear Organisation as Deputy Director Policy and Planning.
He is now putting into practice theory learned on Level 7 courses for the IOD Certificate in Company Direction and the Manchester Business School.
Senior Sales Manager - Submarines
Paul Burke is BMT’s Business Development Manager for Submarines. Prior to joining the company he enjoyed a 33-year career in the Royal Navy submarine service, in all types of submarines, including conventional, and command of an attack submarine, a deterrent submarine, then ‘Teacher’ of the Commanding Officer Course (Perisher).
After 18 years at sea his shore time began in the Directorate of Navy Resources and Plans, then Joint Force Headquarters, including some time in Afghanistan, followed by a higher policy focus with three years in US Strategic Command, Omaha, Nebraska, and the last seven years as a Captain and Commodore in MOD Main Building, in the Naval Staff and the Defence Nuclear Organisation as Deputy Director Policy and Planning.
He is now putting into practice theory learned on Level 7 courses for the IOD Certificate in Company Direction and the Manchester Business School.
Maritime Autonomous Systems Engineering Lead
Chloe Yarrien is a Maritime Autonomous Systems Engineer at BMT. She graduated Swansea University with a degree in Theoretical Physics before joining QinetiQ to work in mine countermeasures.
Chloe has been at BMT for six years, in which time she has worked on the MoD’s Common Support Model, BMT’s Marine Autonomous Systems Synthetic Environment Assessment Service (SEAS) and as an embedded team member in the MoD Mine Countermeasure and Hydrographic Capability team working on Project Wilton.
Chloe has managed and led a variety of projects and R&D, including thought leadership papers in the autonomy space.
Maritime Autonomous Systems Engineering Lead
Chloe Yarrien is a Maritime Autonomous Systems Engineer at BMT. She graduated Swansea University with a degree in Theoretical Physics before joining QinetiQ to work in mine countermeasures.
Chloe has been at BMT for six years, in which time she has worked on the MoD’s Common Support Model, BMT’s Marine Autonomous Systems Synthetic Environment Assessment Service (SEAS) and as an embedded team member in the MoD Mine Countermeasure and Hydrographic Capability team working on Project Wilton.
Chloe has managed and led a variety of projects and R&D, including thought leadership papers in the autonomy space.
Principal Engineer
Ian Duncan is a Principal Naval Engineer at BMT working in the Naval Engineering department on a range of different projects. Ian joined BMT in 2018 after serving in the Royal Navy for 34 years where he worked as a submarine Marine Engineer, as well as with NATO, and across the higher levels of the MOD.
Building upon his NATO experience Ian leads on BMT’s portfolio of international submarine work and in this role he has delivered a number of projects for international clients. Having been the programme manager for the NATO Submarine Rescue System in his last job in the Navy, he has a particular expertise in Submarine Escape and Rescue and maintains his proficiency in this niche area through delivery of projects and engagement with the international community through the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Organisation. (ISMERLO).
Since joining BMT Ian has applied his former Design Authority for Submarine Propulsion experience through leading and delivering a number of Submarine Life Extension projects for the UK MOD. In this role he has been able to use his leadership skills to help train, coach and mentor the team.
Within BMT Ian has experience of delivering through a wide range of different contracting mechanisms and is currently project managing support to the UK submarine acquisition programme as well as leading a concept design project and business improvement work across the wider enterprise.
Principal Engineer
Ian Duncan is a Principal Naval Engineer at BMT working in the Naval Engineering department on a range of different projects. Ian joined BMT in 2018 after serving in the Royal Navy for 34 years where he worked as a submarine Marine Engineer, as well as with NATO, and across the higher levels of the MOD.
Building upon his NATO experience Ian leads on BMT’s portfolio of international submarine work and in this role he has delivered a number of projects for international clients. Having been the programme manager for the NATO Submarine Rescue System in his last job in the Navy, he has a particular expertise in Submarine Escape and Rescue and maintains his proficiency in this niche area through delivery of projects and engagement with the international community through the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Organisation. (ISMERLO).
Since joining BMT Ian has applied his former Design Authority for Submarine Propulsion experience through leading and delivering a number of Submarine Life Extension projects for the UK MOD. In this role he has been able to use his leadership skills to help train, coach and mentor the team.
Within BMT Ian has experience of delivering through a wide range of different contracting mechanisms and is currently project managing support to the UK submarine acquisition programme as well as leading a concept design project and business improvement work across the wider enterprise.
Senior Business Development Manager
Tim Neild is BMT’s Senior Business Development Manager in the Defence and Security Future Business Team. His role is to lead the development and implementation of BMT’s growth plans in the Defence Sector in UK & Europe.
Tim joined BMT following a 33-year career in the Royal Navy, specialising in Operations and Capability & Acquisition. He commanded five Warships on Operations world-wide and, following an MBA programme at Cranfield University, held Programme leadership positions in the Maritime Capability directorate of Navy Command Headquarters, providing the direction and oversight to the delivery of the Navy’s capability portfolio aligned to future strategic objectives. His most recent naval assignment before leaving the Service was as a Commodore in Command of the Royal Navy’s Surface Fleet and its people.
Tim also has a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Defence Technology & Business Management and brings a wealth of operational context and an innate understanding of maritime capability to the role. He was awarded a CBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list for his service as the Captain of HMS ALBION, the Fleet Flagship, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
Senior Business Development Manager
Tim Neild is BMT’s Senior Business Development Manager in the Defence and Security Future Business Team. His role is to lead the development and implementation of BMT’s growth plans in the Defence Sector in UK & Europe.
Tim joined BMT following a 33-year career in the Royal Navy, specialising in Operations and Capability & Acquisition. He commanded five Warships on Operations world-wide and, following an MBA programme at Cranfield University, held Programme leadership positions in the Maritime Capability directorate of Navy Command Headquarters, providing the direction and oversight to the delivery of the Navy’s capability portfolio aligned to future strategic objectives. His most recent naval assignment before leaving the Service was as a Commodore in Command of the Royal Navy’s Surface Fleet and its people.
Tim also has a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Defence Technology & Business Management and brings a wealth of operational context and an innate understanding of maritime capability to the role. He was awarded a CBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list for his service as the Captain of HMS ALBION, the Fleet Flagship, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.