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Dstl
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The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an Executive Agency of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).
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Encyclopedia
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory |
| | Established: | July 2, 2001 | | Chief Executive: | Frances Saunders | | Turnover: | £367.1 million (2006/7) | | Operating Profit: | £20.1 million (2006/7) | | Employees: | 3,463 employees (2007 average) |
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an Executive Agency of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). It operates as a Trading Fund, owned by the Secretary of State for Defence, John Hutton. Responsibility for Dstl lies with the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, currently Quentin Davies.
The stated purpose of Dstl is to deliver value to the UK taxpayer by providing outputs of research, timely advice and solutions to customers' defence and security-related problems. Its stated mission is "to create the winning edge for UK Forces and Government through the best use of Science and Technology". Its stated vision is "to be the indispensable source of Science and Technology at the heart of defence".
Dstl carries out a broad range of work from high-level analysis to support Ministry of Defence policy and procurement decisions, to technical research in defence areas such as biomedical science and electronics, alongside operational work such as forensic analysis of explosives and providing (paid volunteer) scientists to Iraq and Afghanistan to provide rapid scientific advice to British forces.
The reason Dstl survives as a sustainable business is in part because its scientific and engineering expertise is trusted by its MOD customers - because Dstl has no commercial interests or aspirations and its employees are rewarded for commitment to supporting MOD. Dstl's independence has been disputed in areas where Dstl has a capability to sustain which survives on work similar to that done in industry (e.g. some capabilities were split between Dstl and QinetiQ and if the overall funding is reduced, dispute over which organisation should downsize can occur). Since its formation Dstl has reduced its profit margins year-on-year, increasing the value of its services to its customers.
History
In July 2001, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) was split into two parts. Dstl was established to carry out science and technology work that is best done within government, while the majority was transferred to the (then) part-privatised QinetiQ.
Organisation
Dstl is a trading fund owned by the Ministry of Defence—it is responsible for managing its own budget, funded by contracts for specific work. Most funding comes from the Ministry of Defence, although a small portion comes from other government departments and commercial sources. According to 2004/5 figures, around 88% of Dstl's income comes from MOD. The remaining 12% of income comes from other government departments (45%) and non-exchequer sources, including QinetiQ and foreign governments (55%). Typical examples of these contracts are three year research programmes and 6 month urgent operational requirements.
The Chief Executive from 2001 to 2006 was Martin J Earwicker. The position was vacant until August 2007, during which time Frances Saunders was acting as Chief Executive. In August 2007 Frances Saunders became the chief executive.
Dstl consists of the following departments:
- Environmental Sciences
- Detection
- Physical Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
- Sensors and countermeasures
- Energetics*
- Electronics*
- Policy and Capability Studies
- Naval Systems
- Land Battlespace Systems
- Air and Weapons Systems
- Joint Systems
- Information Management
- Knowledge Services
Current locations
Dstl's current sites include:
Future locations and change programme
Dstl is hoping to consolidate to three core sites: Fort Halstead, Porton Down, and Portsdown West, under a project known as "INSPIRE", due to complete in 2009, although the Fort Halstead site is owned by a development joint venture who have more profitable aspirations for the site. The INSPIRE project is part of a wider organisational change programme known as i lab, which is intended to increase efficiency through more unity across the organisation. This involves using common working practises and having all parts of Dstl managed using the same processes and procedures. Deliveries to date include new career progression tools, collaboration and accounting systems.
Dstl recognises that it must also align with wider MOD change pragrammes, such as the (DACP), and as such it also recognises that the rate of change is increasing.
Spin-offs
Ploughshare Innovations
In April 2005 the technology transfer company Ploughshare Innovations Ltd was formed. This company has the mission statement "To actively pursue the commercial exploitation of publicly funded research for the benefit of all". The purpose of Ploughshare Innovations Ltd is to commercialise on the intellectual property developed within Dstl (predominantly from MOD funded defence science research).
Ploughshare Innovations has successfully spun-out several new companies since its inception including , (since acquired by 3m Medical Diagnostics Ltd), , , Lucigen Ltd, and .
Sources
This article uses , , ,
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