Andy Harris has been appointed as the new head of naval architecture at Bath-based BMT Defence Services, a subsidiary of international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy BMT Group.
Andy, pictured, a chartered engineer who joined BMT in 1996, will bring the best practice from the large projects he has worked on to the role. 
He has led teams of naval architects and marine engineers, and is well versed with managing suppliers and subcontractors. These teams have included personnel drawn from multiple industrial organisations as well as the MoD. He has extensive knowledge of MoD’s requirements, processes and working practices for ship design
In the early part of his career Andy, who graduated from the University of Southampton with a bachelor’s degree in ship science, worked on the in-service support of submarines before becoming involved in surface ship stability modelling.
In 2001 he joined the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier programme, initially with responsibility for the stability analysis and management of the hydrodynamic design aspects, before being responsible for the management of the platform architecture team.
Andy has also recently worked with the Type 26 global combat ship programme as its stability engineering manager.
BMT Defence Services managing director Muir Macdonald said: “Andy’s appointment ahead of compelling internal and external candidates emphasises the strength and depth of engineering expertise that BMT Defence Services has developed.
“BMT has one of the country’s largest pools of naval architects and I’m really looking forward to Andy’s leadership of our superb talent bringing his unique blend of knowledge, experience and sense of humour.”
Andy will be managing a team of 70 full-time staff with a range of different skill levels from trainee technician level through to experienced chartered naval architect.
