Lee Packer

Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2024.

Commander Lee Packer is the Chief Engineer for the Future Air Dominance System at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S).

With over two decades of experience, Lee has a robust background in capability development, innovation and digital transformation. Lee has held notable roles within the Royal Navy including Head of Weapon Engineering (including IT) on HMS Duncan; Navy Command Strategic Analyst; COO in digital delivery; and SRO of an enterprise-level digital integration and analytics platform.

Known for his leadership in engineering management and strategic thinking, Lee has consistently driven positive change and efficiency in defence systems, contributing to the advancement of military capabilities.

Now turning his attention to the Royal Navy's predominant change programme, the Future Air Dominance System, he will seek to utilise leading digital engineering practices to deliver capability to the front line faster and more efficiently. In this he will work with his exceptional colleagues across Defence Equipment and Support and his Industry peers to set about changing the very nature of how software is developed and deployed to operational units.

How did you get into IT?

My journey into IT began when I joined the Royal Navy at 16. The exposure to world-leading IT systems and the operational context in which they were deployed sparked my passion for problem-solving and leading digital transformation. I have always sought out innovation and championed collaborative action to elicit change.

What do you consider your greatest IT achievement of the last 12 months?

In the past year, my most significant achievement was successfully reorienting a struggling business unit as the COO. The key to this transformation lay in empowering the organisation and fostering a culture of meritocracy - a 'humanocracy.' By valuing each individual's contributions, we unlocked creativity, collaboration and productivity. The redesigned delivery model became a conduit for this cultural shift, resulting in tangible gains and cost efficiencies.

Which technology are you currently most excited by, and why?

Perhaps not a singular technology, but I'm particularly enthusiastic about advancements in DevSecOps and moving the Royal Navy to a practice of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD). These technologies, when paired with the right mindset, streamline development, enhance security and accelerate software delivery. They're pivotal for achieving agility and maintaining a competitive edge, which in warfare is everything.

What would an outsider find the most surprising part of your job?

As with any company seeking to maintain its pole position we must balance investment in today's operations against that required for tomorrow. The surprising part is how freely digital and technical leaders are able to roam across organisational boundaries to align viewpoints, rally the troops and make change, all with the overarching goal of enhancing national security and deploying cutting-edge capabilities onto Navy ships. People truly are Defence's greatest asset.