Our customers across the Defence and Security sectors operate in a challenging and changing environment. They seek to strike a balance between current priorities and potential future opportunities and threats. Often they are subject to political, economic and budgetary or commercial constraints, or they may lack the expertise and experience required to achieve their goals. SCS is well-placed to help address these challenges, providing expert advice, services and people across the defence and security domains. We value our independence, flexibility, agility and understanding of the client environment – these, we believe, give us our competitive edge.
Management Team
Andrew Thomis
Managing Director
Andrew graduated from Imperial College, London, in 1987 with a M.Eng in Electronic Engineering and Management Science. He spent nine years in the MoD as a fast stream civil servant, carrying out roles including technology research, scientific policy advice and a spell as a private secretary to the defence procurement minister. He left in 1996 and, following a period with Capita plc's management consultancy arm, joined Alvis plc in a role covering strategy, M&A and business development. Andrew left Alvis in 2005, following the takeover by BAE Systems, and worked with Nick Prest and Stanley Carter on the creation of Cohort, acting as Finance Director during the flotation and subsequently Corporate Development Director.
Following two years as Managing Director of MASS, Andrew returned to Cohort as Chief Executive in May 2009 and chairs the Group Executive Committee. He is also currently carrying out the role of Interim Managing Director of SCS.
David Gagen
Director of Operations
David was appointed as Director of Operations in April 2010 and is responsible for the performance of the company’s 8 business units. Prior to this David successfully ran the Logistic Division which he set up after 2 years managing the Logistics Business Area. David had previously served for 21 years in the British Army as an officer in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME). Commissioned in 1987 as a graduate entrant, David had a varied career including operational tours in Northern Ireland and Bosnia, and postings to Germany, Hong Kong and Oman. His final posting was at the Army Headquarters in Wilton where he was the Army focus for all Land Logistic Information Systems. After 2½ years in Wilton and exactly 21 years in the Army David took early retirement and joined SCS. David has been married to Kerry for 22 years and has 2 children, Sarah 21 and Alexander 19.
Gavin Kilgour
Director of Business Development
Gavin has over 15 years experience of defence acquisition, operational requirements, project management and technical support in the NEC and combat systems area, complemented by close involvement with UK and international prime and sub-contractors. He has long-standing involvement in NEC, Battle Management applications, C4ISTAR, sensor systems, effects delivery systems, platforms, their interaction (risks and opportunities) with technology and the impact on Human Factors engineering. However, he much prefers mountaineering, skiing, surfing and yachting accompanied by
John Forkun
Interim Director of Finance
John joined SCS as Interim Director of Finance in December 2009. He brings 20 years’ experience of accounting and finance management from a variety of appointments in public and industry roles including multi-site business-to-business organizations, supply chain, IT service and maintenance, and consultancy. Whilst at Siemens Business Services (Logistics) he led the Sarbanes Oxley s.404 implementation; he is considered a “bit of a guru” at Excel.
He claims never to have had a dull moment in finance. When he does get out he likes to sail dinghies and play the piano – but not at the same time. He has a small portfolio of residential properties in Oxford, is a founder of Oxtoberfest and appreciates a good English or German beer (a habit he acquired whilst based in Munich).
Quality
The Quality Management System adopted by SCS has been certified to ISO 9001:2008 by SGS UK Ltd.
Work undertaken by SCS is carried out in strict compliance with Quality Management procedures, except where this differs from the customer's internal quality standards and it is mutually agreed that the customer's procedures will take precedence. In either case, SCS guarantees to provide a rigorous quality process, including independent peer and team reviews, to ensure that our product meets customer expectations. SCS has been certified to TickIT standards since December 2006.
Security
SCS has been certified to ISO 27001:2005 by SGS UK Ltd.
SCS personnel are security cleared.
Cohort plc
Cohort is a group of complementary companies providing comprehensive advisory and technical services across the defence, security and associated sectors. Cohort plc is comprised of SCS, MASS and SEA.
MASS
MASS is an independent UK systems house with a strong defence and aerospace market focus. The company is based near St Neots in Cambridgeshire with a second facility in Lincoln.
MASS offers specialist skills in four business areas:
- Electronic warfare
- Specialist managed services
- Communications and electronic systems
- Information systems
In addition, MASS offers re-design and support of older in-service systems plus technical and operational advisory services across all their four business areas.
For the MASS website: www.mass.co.uk
MASS has specific experience in managing and providing services in highly secure areas of government and industry.
SEA
SEA is a UK-based systems company delivering advanced surveillance systems and products for demanding environments.
We specialise in systems engineering, software and electronic engineering services and solutions to Government and Industry including expert design and manufacture.
Our activities are focused on the Defence, Aerospace and Public Sector markets, where we have a reputation for quality, innovation and cost-effective solutions.
For the SEA website: www.sea.co.uk