2026 off to a flying start!
2026 off to a flying start!
Chris Wardman and I joined over 100 of the South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster members, who battled the elements to attend the first event of the year, hosted at Porton Science Park, and sponsored by Day 1 People.
Defence and Security now, as ever, is a moving feast and a lot has happened over the last few months. So, it was great to hear from:
Neil Skelland, SWRDSC Chair - about the confirmed grant from UKDI Defence and Security Accelerator to support the national network of RDSCs moving forward. The first meeting this week of the RDSC National Forum, looking forward to hearing more and some joined up thinking/collaboration. (maybe they should have a LinkedIn page?) The set-up of the Office of Small Business Growth, where SMEs can get advice on services available. DTEC – 2 bids being submitted from within the region from Yeovil College and City College Plymouth and the LIPF (Local Innovation Partnership Fund) with a bid that is coming together from across the South West Region.
Mark Ward from Dstl – how they fit into The National Armaments Director Group. Investing more than £400m pa in industry and academia, they seek to bring strategic advantage to UK Defence and Security through strategic priorities/demand, a single integrated prioritised portfolio, partnerships delivering supply chain value and multi-disciplinary teams. Critical when you consider some of the current warfare challenges!
Corrie Fearon from Renishaw – why is it hard to shoot down a drone? Well, for a variety of reasons, but thank goodness your organisation delivers world-leading optical and inductive encoders!
Craig Steger-Lewis from Day 1 People – about the fantastic resources and services they offer, the benefits for an SME to engage with them, and the launch of their new product ‘PMO In A Box’. Great to see you*, and Phill Berkley, today.
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE from Ploughshare – “we have had a treasure trove of brilliant inventions over the years that have gone nowhere”, and how the Technology and Growth Alliance will help to ensure that ground-breaking innovations are pulled out, with funding and support wrapped around, to support growth.
Helena Holden from Canny Comms – how communication failures contributed to delays or increased costs in 78% of UK defence programmes!
Finishing with a workshop delivered by Geraint Evans focusing on #AI
Great to be back in, and amongst, my network. Great to meet Kevin Vaughan AfCGI MInstRE and Ralph Hudson (hope you got home ok) and to reconnect with Andrew Emmett from Telent Technology Services Ltd.
All in all, a fantastic day for Copper Turtle.
