Currently retired (and enjoying it!)

David Longhurst was educated at Bromley Technical College and the City University. He took up his first post in the Scientific Civil Service with the MOD in 1971. From 1971 until 1981 he was involved in a number of satellite and terrestrial communications research programmes whilst with the Royal Signals and Radar Research Establishment In 1981 he joined the procurement branch of the Ministry of Defence (MOD(UK), where he was project manager for strategic radio communications, with responsibility for the procurement of long haul strategic HF radio stations and satellite ground terminals, including the rebuild of RAF Oakhanger. During this time, he was responsible for a number of multinational collaborative ventures, including the US/UK 'universal satcom modem' project.He was appointed project manager of the NATO IV space programme in 1987. He managed the project, which included purchase of spacecraft, launch vehicles and associated services, up to the handover of the IVA spacecraft to NATO in 1991. He left the military space programme in 1992, when he was asked to direct the formulation of MOD's information systems and communications (CIS) strategy. The strategy was completed in 1994. He was also responsible for directing MOD's software engineering policy and for the initial development of 'fast track' procurement methods, in addition to directing a number of CIS projects. In 1994 he joined the MOD Central Staffs in Whitehall in the roles of Scientific Advisor (CIS/OR) and Project Director, Joint Command Systems. In 1995 he was asked to take up the post of Head of the The Defence Communication and Information Systems Interoperability Authority (DCISIA). In 1998 he was appointed head of the MOD Year 2000 'Millennium bug' team, After completion of the Year 2000 programme, he took up the post of Deputy Director, Information Plans and Policy, developing MODs plans for an integrated defence information infrastructure.