Knowledge is power!

Knowledge is power! And what could be more helpful to an SME, when trying to navigate the defence landscape, than a bunch of really helpful people all in the same room!

10th in the series of regional roadshows, the UK Ministry of Defence, Defence Exports Team visited the BattleLab on Dorset Innovation Park to deliver a very insightful SME Surgery, under the great organisation of Jacob Cooney.

Sponsored by DHL, it was great to meet Peter Keith and Craig B. and hear about more about the wider organisation in defence - there’s more to these guys than ‘a man in a van!’

My Copper Turtle highlights were the speakers:

· Dominic McNeice about UK Defence Exports events and opportunities

· Major Harriet Chapman, thank you for the refresher about the Exhibition Centre at Larkhill, the service offering impartial advice and the support from a media perspective

· Tom Mcpartlan - accessing UKEF Finance

· AUKUS – how to join the Authorised User Community

· Cdr Robert Laverty – UK Sub Club and Defence Industry Days

David Woodbridge – thanks for taking some time afterwards to talk to me about procurement.

Great to see some of the Export Services Team from Larkhill, and although you hosted a South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster event for us back in January, it was a good reminder of how Copper Turtle could utilise this as we grow. (Chris Wardman)