Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory      | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Predecessor | • Defence Research Agency • Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment • Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment |
| Successor | Defence Science and Technology Laboratory |
| Formation | 1995 |
| Extinction | 2 July 2001 |
| The name of the UK military, including biological weapons, research agency from 1994 until 2001 | |
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) from 1995 until 2001.[1] Its successor is the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory The chief executive throughout DERA's existence was John Chisholm. DERA's staffing level was around 9000 scientists, technologists and support staff.
Structure
Predecessors include the Defence Research Agency, Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment and the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment
In 2001, Defence Minister Lewis Moonie announced a split into QinetiQ, and private company, and what became the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). In February 2003, the U.S. deep state equity firm the Carlyle Group acquired a 31% share of QinetiQ, for £42m, while the UK government retained 56%. From 2002 to 2005, former chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee Pauline Neville-Jones was non-executive chairman of QinetiQ.
On 12 January 2006, following financial press speculation concerning a stock exchange float, an announcement was made in parliament by Dr John Reid, Secretary of State for Defence. He said that the Carlyle Group 'will continue to retain a significant stake in the company', and that the government would continue to hold a 'Golden Share' to protect the UK's security and defence interests.
QinetiQ was floated on the London Stock Exchange in February 2006. The company had been valued at between £1.1bn and £1.3bn. The Carlyle Group and senior managers made a lot of money from this, with figures of over £20m suggested in the media for John Chisholm.[2]
