QinetiQ Names CEO for OptaSense

QinetiQ has appointed Jamie Pollard as CEO of its Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) subsidiary, OptaSense.

Pollard brings over 20 years’ of experience from oilfield services company Schlumberger, where he ran and grew large global businesses and joint ventures, working across the U.K., U.S., Continental Europe and Africa. Pollard graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University of Technology. 

Steve Wadey, CEO of QinetiQ said, “I am delighted to be making a positive investment in OptaSense by appointing Jamie Pollard as its CEO to augment the current leadership team and build on what they have already achieved.  Jamie’s record of growing businesses at Schlumberger will prove invaluable as we look to take the business forward and realize its potential to change the way we monitor oil wells, transport networks and infrastructure.”

According to QinetiQ, Pollard brings a depth of oil and gas industry expertise that will be complemented by additional investment in an advisory board for OptaSense comprising senior specialists to provide further domain expertise in key target markets.

Magnus McEwen-King, who built OptaSense from inception, will remain with the business as an executive director with a focus on strategic pursuits and industry partnerships.