New CEO to Lead Exploitation of Ministry of Defence Innovations


I am privileged to lead Ploughshare into the next stage of their evolution. I very much look forward to working with their fantastic team, Simon and the Board, and our partners including Dstl, AWE and MOD to make the world a better place.

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton joins Ploughshare from Vodafone where she led the transformation of the UK Enterprise Business. Hetti has spent the last 25 years in financial, transformation and commercial leadership roles across major blue chip organisations, often working with leading edge technologies. She is renowned for her highly creative, collaborative and engaging approach with teams and partners, and her skills are going to be crucial to lead Ploughshare into the next phase of its evolution.

On her appointment, Hetti commented:

“The work Ploughshare do is tremendously exciting. It has the potential to be fundamental to the future of UK plc and society as a whole, and drive both commercial value and broaden the use of innovations funded by taxpayers’ investment in science and technology.

“I am privileged to lead Ploughshare into the next stage of their evolution. I very much look forward to working with their fantastic team, Simon and the Board, and our partners including Dstl, AWE and MOD to make the world a better place.”

Ploughshare’s Chairman, Simon Devonshire OBE, on appointing Hetti remarked:

“From climate change to the growth of an ageing society; from obesity to the emergence of new diseases, we now live in an era that is unprecedented in its opportunity for science to deliver a positive impact for people and planet.

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Hetti Barkworth-Nanton as CEO of Ploughshare. Hetti’s leadership of delivering transformational innovation for globally significant corporates such as British Airways, BT and Vodafone will be a huge asset to Ploughshare Innovation’s mission to commercialise innovation born in Government owned scientific laboratories such as Dstl.”

Hetti’s role is effective today and succeeds James Kirby who is retiring having led Ploughshare for the last six years.

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