Geoff Searle trained as a naval architect and spent 20 years working in design, operations, project and programme management for VT Shipbuilding, before joining BAE Systems in 2010.

He spent four years as the QEC Programme Director, with overall leadership of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and the QE Class Programme through the design and mobilisation into production phase, followed by roles as the Programme Director for the UK Type 26 Frigate and Australian Hunter Class Frigate programmes.

As Programme Director – Future Business & Technology for BAE Systems Naval Ships, Geoff now leads on winning future UK and International programmes, new product development, Research & Technology, future strategy and sustainability.

Geoff also spent nearly 30 years in the Royal Naval Reserve as a Mine Warfare Officer, retiring in 2018. During that time he qualified as a OOW and Navigating officer on Mine Countermeasures ships, and as a Mine Warfare Battlestaff Officer, including an operational mobilisation to the Arabian Gulf in 2009.