Metis formally appoints Hugh Griffiths as Chair of its Board

Metis, specialists in providing innovative technologies to detect a wide range of Radio Frequency (RF) threats across diverse sectors, is pleased to announce it has formally appointed Hugh Griffiths as Chair of the Metis Board.   Hugh has been working closely with Metis for over half a year as a strategic advisor, and this announcement formalises his appointment as Chair of the Board.  

Hugh served 20 years in the Royal Air Force as a Tornado aviator and Qualified Weapons Instructor, deploying on operations to the Balkans and Persian Gulf.  He also spent 3 years working with the UK intelligence community.  At the end of his military service, he became a senior military airpower advisor to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), where he was involved in the development of novel concepts and technologies.

Hugh completed an MBA at Warwick Business School and then founded Inzpire Ltd, one of UK’s fastest-growing defence companies, which he led as CEO for many years, taking it through a Family Office investment to, ultimately, a trade sale to QinetiQ Plc.   During his tenure as CEO, Inzpire won a host of awards, grew from a 3-person start-up into a £35 million business with 300 employees exporting globally and Hugh was repeatedly recognised in national business awards.

In addition to his role at Inzpire, Hugh was a co-owner and co-founder of a US-based blockchain business, which was sold to a Norwegian publicly listed entity. He is now the owner of a property business, refurbishing derelict properties for healthcare workers to live in.  Hugh is also an early-stage investor and NED in areas as diverse as Drones, Sports tech, Climate Change, Wellness, AI, Space, Fashion, Food and Beverages. He is also a consultant to major UK and US multinationals in defence and aviation.

Away from work, Hugh is interested in many things including history, international travel and getting out in the countryside. He keenly follows developments in modern Physics and is an active member of the Institute of Physics and a part-time A-level Maths and Physics tutor.

Ben Hewitt, Managing Director of Metis said, “As a fellow veteran and past CEO, with vast experience in the commercial sector and innovative technologies, I am delighted that Hugh has agreed to Chair the Metis board.  I have hugely valued his strategic insight and mentoring over the last 6-months, and I look forward to working together to deliver our strategic vision.”

Hugh Griffiths, new Chair of the Metis Board said, “One of my guiding principles is to live by the values and standards that I can be proud of and to make a positive difference wherever possible.  I am therefore honoured to have the opportunity as Chair of the Metis Board, to support a fantastic team of innovative engineers and help to deliver on a common vision of harnessing novel technology to increase national resilience and protect people, places and privacy.”