Robert Topping

President and Chief Operating Officer, QinetiQ North America

Robert’s biography

Robert Topping was appointed President and Chief Operating Office of QinetiQ North America in March 2007. As the number two executive in the U.S., he is responsible for the integration of U.S. acquisitions and the development of synergies and operating methods that create increasing shareholder value.

Prior to his appointment at QinetiQ North America, Robert was Chief Executive Officer of Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, which was acquired by QinetiQ in 2004. He joined Westar in 1989 as Engineering Manager and became Vice President of Engineering Services in 1992, President and Chief Operating Officer in 1999, and Chief Executive in 2004. During that time, he led four acquisitions, the private sale of equity in Westar, and Westar’s subsequent sale to QinetiQ. Prior to Westar, Rob held technical and management positions a McDonnell Douglas, subsequently purchased by Boeing.

Rob graduated with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computing Engineering from the University of Missouri, Colombia. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Athena Controls, Talisen Technologies, and Partek Incorporated. He also serves on the board of non-profit organisations including the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association, The United Way, and Forest Park Forever, the development arm of the largest public park in the U.S. He also serves on the Industrial Relations Committee of the University of Missouri’s College of Engineering.