Roke names Jo Rayson as first Chief Operating Officer

Roke has appointed Jo Rayson as its first Chief Operating Officer as the defence and national security company expands its operations.

She will lead the development of the systems, processes and infrastructure needed to support growth, with a remit spanning the business to scale operations while maintaining a focus on innovation and customer delivery.

The new role joins Roke's senior leadership team as the company broadens its portfolio of products and technologies and increases its presence in the UK and overseas markets.

Rayson joins from Babcock, where she spent almost a decade and progressed from HR Director to Chief Operating Officer of the group's Land & UK Aviation business. There, she oversaw strategy, systems and operational infrastructure for a large-scale division running complex operations.

She also led Babcock's pan-sector training business and its Police Contracts unit. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at Leica Geosystems, Network Rail and BT.

Roke, which operates in defence and national security, is part of Chemring Group. Rayson's brief includes supporting the company's operational structure as it continues to develop products and technologies for government and security customers.

Marc Overton, Managing Director of Roke, said the appointment would support the company's next phase of growth.

"Jo's appointment is an important step in supporting Roke's next phase of growth. As we continue to expand our portfolio of products and technologies and increase our presence across UK and international markets, her experience in scaling operations and building high-performing organisations will be invaluable. Our customers depend on us to innovate and deliver at pace. Jo's leadership will help ensure we have the systems, processes and operational excellence needed to support that ambition while maintaining the agility that defines Roke."

The company traces its history back more than 70 years and works across cyber security, secure communications, sensors, robotics, autonomous systems and data analysis for defence and security use. The new operating structure is intended to support current work and further international expansion.

Operational focus

For Roke, the creation of a Chief Operating Officer post signals a greater emphasis on internal processes and organisational design as it grows. Businesses serving defence and national security markets often face the challenge of expanding while maintaining compliance, delivery discipline and specialist technical work, making senior operational oversight increasingly important.

Rayson's background suggests Roke is seeking experience that combines organisational change with complex programme environments. Her work across defence, emergency services and technical training businesses gives her experience in regulated and operationally demanding sectors closely aligned with Roke's market.

In her own comments, she pointed to a focus on the internal conditions for staff and the structure needed to support expansion.

"For more than 70 years, Roke's technology has helped protect those working across defence and national security. I joined because I want to contribute to that mission, strengthen sovereign capability in the UK and support our allies around the world. I see my role as enabling the environment in which our people can do their best work. That means providing clear direction and building the systems, processes and infrastructure needed to support growth, while ensuring our teams can continue innovating with pace and agility. Roke has exceptional talent and technology, and I'm excited to help the business achieve its next phase of growth while preserving the culture that makes it so successful," said Rayson.