Defence Holdings PLC has appointed Andrew Roughan as chief executive officer. Andrew Roughan joins the UK listed defence technology group after serving as chief executive of Plexal, where he worked with government, defence, and national security startups and customers. He formerly oversaw more than 700 startups operating in regulated and security sensitive environments.
“The Board is delighted to appoint Andrew as Chief Executive Officer. He brings a rare combination of defence credibility, operational leadership and proven commercial execution across government-aligned technology environments,” said Andy McCartney, Chief Technology Officer of Defence Holdings.
“Andrew’s experience leading complex organisations through delivery and scale will be instrumental as Defence Holdings enters its next phase of execution and growth, and we look forward to working closely with him.”
Roughan’s background includes running telecoms, data centers, and government-focused innovation. He was part of the founding team at Here East, developed as part of the UK government’s Olympic legacy program, and previously held senior roles at companies including Cable & Wireless and international data centre operators. His experience includes large scale infrastructure delivery, commercial strategy, and operations.
He will work alongside chief technology officer Andy McCartney and chairman Field Marshal Lord Houghton as the company moves into a phase focused on product delivery and scaling.
Defence Holdings said the board conducted a targeted search for a chief executive beginning in December 2025. The company said Roughan’s experience leading government facing technology companies and managing complex stakeholder environments aligns with its operational and commercial priorities.
“The Board believes Andrew’s leadership, institutional relationships and experience negotiating within complex stakeholder environments will strengthen the Company’s ability to engage with government, defence and industry partners and to execute its strategy with discipline and credibility,” wrote the company in a release.
