Board of Directors

Term in office

Nick became Chairman of Cohort on flotation in March 2006.

Background and experience

After graduating from Oxford in 1974 Nick joined the UK MOD. In 1982 Nick moved to Alvis, the defence contractor, undertaking a variety of roles before becoming Chief Executive in 1989 and Chairman and Chief Executive in 1996. Nick left Alvis following its acquisition by BAE Systems in 2004, by which time the company had become a leading international business in military land systems.

Nick was also Chairman of Aveva Group plc from 2006 until 2012 and Chairman of Shephard Media until 2020. 

Term in office

Andrew took over as Chief Executive of Cohort in May 2009.

Background and experience

Andrew graduated with an MEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College London in 1987. He spent nine years in science, technology and policy roles in the UK MOD. He left in 1996 and, after a period working with public and private sector clients at Capita plc’s management consultancy arm, he joined Alvis in a role covering strategy, M&A and business development. Following the acquisition of Alvis by BAE Systems in 2004, Andrew worked with Nick Prest and Stanley Carter on the creation of Cohort plc, acting as Finance Director during the flotation and subsequently Corporate Development Director. From 2007 to 2009 he was Managing Director of MASS. Andrew is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Term in office

Simon joined Cohort as Finance Director in May 2006.

Background and experience

After graduating with a BSc in Toxicology and Pharmacology from University College London, Simon went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross in 1992. Simon moved to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) in 1993 where he was appointed as Chief Accountant for P&O European Ferries in 1995. He has over 25 years’ industry-relevant experience, with previous senior finance roles at Alvis and BAE Systems.

Term in office

Edward was appointed to the Board on 1 July 2019 and became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 23 July 2019.

Background and experience

Edward joined Racal Electronics in 1980 and, over a 20-year period, undertook a variety of commercial, sales and managerial roles. In 2000, he was appointed Vice President within Thales UK with responsibility for the commercial, sales and strategy functions. In 2005 he was appointed Managing Director of the Thales UK naval activities and led the international business line for naval platforms and services. In 2010 he was appointed Chief Operating Officer for Thales UK with operational responsibility for all Thales UK activities.

Term in office

Dr Beatrice Nicholas joined the Cohort board on 1 September 2021.  

Background and experience

Beatrice started her career at the GEC Hirst Research Centre in 1984, moving to GEC Marconi Avionics in 1995, where she held several senior management positions. As part of the wider consolidation in the sector, GEC Marconi Avionics became part of BAE Systems in 1999 and then Selex Galileo Limited in 2012, subsequently part of the Leonardo Group.

In 2010 she was appointed Senior Vice President with responsibility for leading the electronic warfare business. In 2013, she was appointed Director of Engineering for the Airborne and Space division of Leonardo UK Limited, with responsibility for the execution of all engineering projects within the division.

Between 2017 and early 2022, she established and operated an independent consultancy, Beatrice Nicholas Consulting Limited, advising on diversity and inclusion.

Term of office

Peter was appointed to the Board on 2 January 2024. He is a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Background and experience

Peter is a qualified Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA) who spent the early part of his career in a variety of financial roles, primarily with GEC Marconi. From 2000 he was at BAE Systems, first as Group Controller and then as Group Finance Director from 2011 until his retirement in 2020.

Peter brings with him a wealth of expertise across all aspects of finance within the international defence and aerospace sector, encompassing financial control and reporting, treasury, tax, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations. He also brings considerable experience of programme management and strategy development and execution.

Peter is also a Non-executive Director of FirstGroup plc and he served as a Non-executive Director of SSE plc from 2014 until 2023.

Term in office

Raquel was appointed as Company Secretary and General Counsel from 1 October 2020.

Background and experience

Raquel graduated from the University of Bristol in 1991 with a Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) followed by Law Society Finals at the College of Law, Chester, in 1993. She started her career as a Solicitor and Articled Clerk with Slaughter and May in London before moving to Melbourne to work with Allens as a Senior Associate. Raquel has held the role of General Counsel and Company Secretary at a number of UK AIM listed and large private companies. Raquel joined Cohort plc in November 2019 before taking over the role of Company Secretary from Simon Walther in October 2020, in addition to being appointed General Counsel for the Cohort Group.