Management Team

Drew’s core business development skills, along with his years of commercial expertise, have positioned him as a key member of Aquila. Drew’s experience working in a highly regulated environment offers challenging technical solutions with the support of experienced engineering resources. He oversees that the business is handled in accordance with all applicable regulations by ensuring that all parties have access to appropriate, timely, and valuable commercial advice.

Dave has almost 35 years of experience in the nuclear industry, working in numerous companies and across several senior executive positions in operations and functions. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Nuclear Institute and was the MD of Gravatom Engineering Systems from the early 1990’s until 2009. Dave was appointed as CEO at Aquila in 2011. Dave’s mission for Aquila is to become the pinnacle of nuclear engineering solutions in the UK and nuclear medicines in Europe and beyond.

Liz is an experienced Finance Director and a qualified Chartered Accountant (CIMA). Her career in finance spans over 20 years working in finance and accounting roles within the mechanical and industrial engineering industry. Elizabeth is skilled in all aspects of Finance including Strategy, Reporting, Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Analysis alongside Project Costing and Leadership. She has extensive senior level accountancy experience and significant managerial experience.

Steve joined Aquila as a Commercial Specialist in 2017 and provided contract management support to the business in addition to contributing to and managing tender proposals as part of the commercial team. Steve was appointed to the newly formed position of Commercial Manager in 2020 adopting responsbility for managing commercial team activities including tendering, sales, legal and marketing. Steve was appointed Head of Commercial in February 2024, subsequently joining moving from the OMT to the ELT.

Nara has more than 30 years of HR strategic and operational experience. She has overall responsibility for advising on all HR aspects of the business, such as developing a business-focused people strategy and effective organisational development. Nara has deep knowledge of people excellence, talent management, leadership development, recruitment, diversity and inclusion, and employee engagement. She is an experienced trainer and lecturer in leadership and HR management.

John has over 25 years’ engineering project experience in a range of regulated industries. John ensures that all strategic engineering and projects systems operate securely and effectively. He provides significant leadership to a dynamic team of engineering and project management professionals delivering turn-key solutions to a growing list of satisfied clients. In addition, John contributes to the high level of commercial and people excellence solutions.

Russell has over 10 years project management experience in highly regulatad industries, with 8 of those years in nuclear. He has successfully managed and delivered multiple projects from turnkey, bespoke design solutions to build-to-print projects for a multitude of clients with a variety of contract type and selling value. Russell leads the Project Management team at Aquila and is responsible for the elite delivery of that department.

Jim is an experienced engineering leader who has successfully delivered complex projects in the nuclear, defence, aerospace, and marine industries. He leads a team of professional engineers, providing guidance and leadership for various unique and prominent projects. Jim has expertise in engineering, management, strategic planning, and operational excellence. He has obtained degrees from the prestigious Universities of Salford, Cranfield, and Bradford. Additionally, Jim is recognised as a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE), a Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a European Engineer (EUR ING).