Mike O'Connor

Managing Director of Ventures

Mike’s biography

Mike O’Connor was appointed to the position of Managing Director of Ventures in April 2007. His responsibility is both for overseeing existing ventures and for building a pipeline of new business opportunities based around QinetiQ technologies. Mike’s goal is to develop the value of existing and future Ventures business and actively promote innovation and an entrepreneurial climate.

Mike joined QinetiQ as New Ventures Director for Knowledge & Information Systems in May 2001, expanding his responsibilities to Finance Director for the Division in November 2001 and later extending the role to include Operations for the Division. In April 2005, Mike was appointed Finance Director of Defence and Technology Sector in QinetiQ until his appointment as Managing Director Ventures.

Prior to joining QinetiQ, Mike worked for Klesch Capital Partners in London (Private Equity fund) with specific responsibility for running retail ventures. His experience has been gained through a number of Managing Director/Finance Director roles with Sears Retail companies. During the course of his career, he has undertaken a successful management buy-out and subsequent trade sale. He was also part of the SR Gent Finance team, a major M&S supplier, which completed a successful IPO in the mid 1980s.

Mike is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants.