Obsolescence 12 Steps – Step Twelve

Darren Topley
Managing Director
CMCA(UK) Ltd

Darren is a highly experienced Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) practitioner having held a number of diverse and challenging engineering and logistic roles in both military and industry appointments. He has also delivered bespoke ILS and Obsolescence Management solutions to clients across the globe.

Darren served 18 years in various Royal Air Force operational and logistic roles in North America, Germany, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands. During a NATO secondment to Munich, Darren developed Obsolescence Management strategies and plans internationally for the four Nations participating in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. Following his return to the UK, he went on to develop Obsolescence Management strategies for various MOD aircraft and complex weapons programmes.

In 2006 Darren retired from the Royal Air Force to join QinetiQ where he undertook various Through Life Management appointments culminating in the role of Head of Lifecycle Services. He also specialised as a Principal Consultant in Obsolescence Management (OM) supporting numerous clients in the development, delivery and refinement of OM strategies and plans including the UK Ministry of Defence, US Department of Defence, Australian Department of Defence, MBDA, Raytheon, and L3 to name but a few. In his capacity as an Obsolescence Management consultant, Darren represented QinetiQ at various national and international obsolescence management events both as a speaker and moderator. He also served as a Director within the UK National Obsolescence Centre.

In 2013 Darren joined CMCA(UK) as an Obsolescence Strategy Advisor where he continued to deliver Obsolescence Management advice and training to a number of CMCA(UK) clients in a diverse range of industries and sectors including Aerospace, Defence, Pharmaceutical, Oil & Gas and Transport.

In January 2016 Darren was appointed as the Managing Director of CMCA(UK) although he remained actively engaged in all aspects of Obsolescence Management both in the UK and overseas. In April 2025, following semi-retirement, Darren transitioned in to a new role as Management Consultant specialising in all aspects of Obsolescence Management Strategy and Planning.