Former Chief of Joint Operations Sir David Capewell KCB OBE FRSA has taken up an advisory position with Vodafone Business, where he will support the company’s strategic engagement across the defence, security and government sectors.
- Sir David Capewell KCB OBE FRSA, former Chief of Joint Operations, has joined Vodafone Business as an adviser, where he will help drive the company’s strategic relationships within the defence, security and government sectors.
- In his role, Sir David will assist Vodafone Business in building robust links with the UK Ministry of Defence and associated security bodies, including NATO, the European Union and organisations involved in critical national infrastructure internationally.
- With a distinguished military career spanning more than 37 years, Sir David has held several prominent operational and leadership positions, culminating in his tenure as Chief of Joint Operations, where he oversaw the UK’s global and allied military activities.
In this role, Sir David will support Vodafone Business in establishing effective connections with UK Ministry of Defence and related security agencies, including NATO, the European Union and the international aspects of critical national infrastructure.
He will be focused on supporting the company’s strategic growth objectives by fostering collaborative relationships with partners, industry stakeholders and the wider science and technology community.
Sir David served in the UK military for more than 37 years, holding several senior operational and leadership roles. In his final appointment, he served as Chief of Joint Operations (CJO), overseeing UK global and allied operations.
Prior to that, he was Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations) at the Ministry of Defence, where he helped shape national operational policy and strategy, including security operations for the London 2012 Olympics.
Sir David Capewell said: “Secure, resilient and trusted communications are fundamental to modern defence operations. Vodafone Business has a unique combination of global scale, technological capability and deep security expertise.
“I am looking forward to working with the team to help defence organisations harness digital connectivity in a way that enhances operational effectiveness and resilience.”
Sir David Capewell
Nick Gliddon, Business Director, VodafoneThree, added: “Sir David brings exceptional operational insight and leadership experience from one of the world’s most demanding environments.
“His understanding of defence priorities, combined with Vodafone Business’s global networks and security capabilities, will help us better support defence organisations as they modernise and operate in an increasingly complex digital landscape.”
Vodafone Business already supports public sector and critical national infrastructure organisations across the UK with secure connectivity, cloud, IoT and cybersecurity services. Sir David’s appointment reflects the company’s continued investment in specialist leadership to support customers operating in mission-critical environments.
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Notes to Editors:
About Sir David Capewell
Sir David Capewell is the chairman of a specialist insight and analytics company and a managing director of a strategic leadership consultancy. He recently chaired a panel for the UK strategic defence review and is a Freeman of the City of London.
Sir David has commanded at every level, including leading a NATO Rapid Reaction Corps, 3 Commando Brigade RM, and 40 Commando RM. His leadership was recognised with the award of the OBE in 2002 and a knighthood (KCB) in 2014.
He is a frequent contributor to national security forums, drawing on his extensive expertise in strategic resilience, cyber security, and counter-extremism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and actively supports Royal Marine and SBS charities.
Formerly the Hudson Fellow at the University of Oxford, Sir David is presently a Visiting Fellow at the Defence Scientific & Technical Laboratory and a Distinguished Fellow at RUSI. He has published work in the fields of cybernetics and systems thinking.
