Dan Ashton MBE
Expert
Senior defence and national security leader with nearly 30 years of experience spanning military operations, advanced capability development, and strategic advisory roles.
Commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals, Dan specialised in Counter-IED, Counter-UAS, Electronic Warfare, and offensive cyber effects. He led multi-theatre operational efforts across Operations HERRICK, TORAL, and SHADER, and played a central role in establishing the UK’s first Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) doctrine.
Recognised at both national and 5-Eyes level for his contributions to integrated effects and mission safety, he combines operational credibility with strategic-level defence policy expertise.
Expert Role
Dan advises on cyber and electromagnetic operations, electronic warfare integration, and strategic capability development across national security and defence environments.
Professional Background
During his military career, Dan led operational cyber and electronic warfare initiatives across complex and contested environments. His work shaped the integration of cyber and electromagnetic effects into front-line operations and informed national doctrine development.
He later served as Chief Engineer for Lockheed Martin UK’s C6ISR division, overseeing capability integration across command, control, communications, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
As Consulting Director at PA Consulting, he advised on defence capability integration and operational resilience, including strategic advisory support related to the Ukraine conflict.
His experience bridges operational command, defence-industrial delivery, and high-level strategic advisory across allied security frameworks.
Key Expertise:
Cyber & Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA)
Electronic Warfare & Integrated Effects
Strategic Capability Development & National Security Advisory