Over 100 jobs created as Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry opens new Rolls-Royce office in Glasgow

UK. On November 22, Rolls-Royce Submarines celebrated the opening of a new office in Glasgow, creating over 100 new jobs in the region.

Opened by the Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, the new office at the Airport Business Park in Glasgow has created 120 specialist roles in electrical controls and instrumentation and cyber security.

Funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Glasgow office was selected to help access the skilled talent pools in the region. New starters will support the Dreadnought programme and other growth in demand from the Royal Navy, including work in support of the AUKUS agreement.

Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,000 people to design, manufacture and provide in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

In March 2023, it was confirmed that Rolls-Royce Submarines would provide all the nuclear reactor plants that will power new attack submarines as part of the tri-lateral agreement between Australia, the UK and US.

Rolls-Royce is currently supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. Additionally, it provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.

Steve Carlier, President – Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “The work we do for the Royal Navy is of critical strategic importance and, to deliver it, we need to harness talent from across the UK, not just from our base in Derby. The opening of our Glasgow office allows us to benefit from the region’s strong pedigree in electrical engineering and add to our own existing pool of nuclear experts.

Powering and supporting the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines is a national endeavour, so we’re really excited to open our office and secure new jobs in Glasgow, showing the far-reaching, positive impact of the whole submarines programme.”

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said: “The opening of the new Rolls-Royce office in Glasgow is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

This investment is delivered alongside an important industry partnership and will support high-skilled jobs and economic growth that will benefit our prosperity and security for decades to come.”

Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Ian Murray MP said: “Economic growth is the UK Government’s top mission and I welcome the opening of this new MOD funded office and the 120 high-skilled jobs it has created. The arrival of Rolls-Royce Submarines in Glasgow is a landmark day for the city-region and testament to the skills, expertise and innovation available through the workforce in this area.

The work being carried out here further bolsters Scotland’s vital role in the UK’s defence. We are home to thousands of military personnel and major bases – including the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet at HMNB Clyde – which help to keep us all safe. But defence is also a key driver for economic growth in Scotland with MOD spending around £2 billion annually with industry here, directly supporting over 11,000 jobs.

From my discussions with Rolls-Royce executives and apprentices at the Farnborough International Airshow earlier this year, followed by the company awarding Glasgow’s Castle Precision Engineering an £85 million contract for the company’s 120 employees to manufacture aero engine parts and now this office opening, it’s clear they have exciting plans for Scotland. I’m very proud of Scotland’s pivotal role in defence and look forward to that going from strength to strength.”

In 2022, to ensure a steady pipeline of future talent into the industry, Rolls-Royce opened its Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby. It will provide 200 apprenticeships each year for at least the next decade.