Richard Waddington BEng (Hons) CEng MIET

Evaluator
DISC Type : sdc

Head of Digital Services - FCAS at BAE Systems

Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

Overview

Richard is a results-driven Chartered Engineer and Programme Director at BAE Systems with over 20 years of experience leading digital transformation in complex engineering environments. A University of Portsmouth graduate, he manages large-scale programmes and is described by peers as a diligent, supportive, and high-integrity leader.

He has a strong personal connection to his work, expressing immense pride in serving and protecting the UK through the defense sector. This connection is rooted in his familys history, as his father is a Royal Navy veteran who served in the Falklands War.

Unique fact: His father, a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, survived a bomb passing just three feet over his head during the Falklands War.

Personality Overview

Quality Focused

Hard To Convince

Thorough Evaluator

They are not very likely to become strong advocates of your product or service  They have a unique set of diverse traits where they are decisive and methodical but can sometimes be extra cautious and skeptical They focus on the results, but can still be quite procedural and analytical about how to get there

Topics They Care About

Digital Engineering
He leads digital services for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and is focused on digital threads, twins, and model-based engineering to drive transformation.
UK Defence Sector
Expresses a deep sense of pride and gratitude for his role in the sector, viewing his work as crucial for protecting the country.
Veterans' Stories
He proudly shared the powerful story of his father, a Royal Navy veteran who served on HMS Glasgow during the Falklands War, showing a deep personal connection.

Media Appearances

Richard has no verified media appearances

Work History

12-2025
Head of Digital Services - FCAS at BAE Systems
1-2024 - 12-2025
Head of Capability - Digital Thread and Twin (Maritime Sector) at BAE Systems
1-2022 - 12-2025
Head of Engineering & Technical Consultancy, Maritime Services at BAE Systems at BAE Systems
8-2016 - 8-2018
Senior Project Engineering Manager at BAE Systems, Maritime Services, Surface Ships Limited
3-2014 - 8-2016
Project Engineering Manager at BAE Systems, Maritime Services, Fleet Services.

Education

2011 - 2013
BEng (Hons) Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (DL) from University of Portsmouth
1997 - 1999
HND Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from University of Portsmouth

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : N/A Location : Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom Job Level : N/A Designation : Head of Digital Services - FCAS at BAE Systems
URL has been copied!

Insights For Selling To Richard

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Use phrases like ‘the ROI of this’, ‘X% more’ etc.
  • Be prepared for comments or questions that are critical of your product or your claims
  • Keep a professional, business-like approach; especially if you tend to get informal quickly

DONT's

  • Don’t focus on relationship, focus purely on the merit of your product
  • Don’t nudge them to do something by using the logic that others have done the same
  • Avoid too much small talk, just a few formal pleasantries should be fine

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Richard is

  • ROI matters the most to them, followed by process and finally proof of results
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Richard

  • They might hesitate a little, but will go ahead and say no when necessary (or asked)

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Richard move?

  • They are unlikely to move very fast, especially when it comes to new products or services
  • Can Richard take some risk or not?

  • They have relatively low risk-appetite and are not very likely to go for something unproven and risky

You And Richard

Personality Compatibility


Other BAE Systems Employees

Explore more public profiles from related professionals at the same organization.

More Profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Search more profiles

Looking for someone else? Search here for anyone.

Or visit Humantic AI to know more.