Last month, in the latest of our meet the primes engagement events, we collaborated with DIT DSO and the West of England Aerospace Forum, to organise a regional briefing for SMEs on “Doing Business in Defence.”
Hosted by ADS member Leonardo, the largest inward investor in the UK defence sector and one of the largest suppliers of defence equipment to the UK MoD, 70 attendees benefited from the event. Delegates heard from a host of speakers about doing business in the defence and security environment, both nationally and internationally. There was also an opportunity to meet with Leonardo’s procurement teams.
Speakers included John Kite, Team Leader, Supply Chain Development, UK MoD and Tim Clewes, Team Leader, Events and SME Support at DIT DSO, who offered valuable information on how to sell goods and services in to the UK Armed Forces and on the Government’s defence/security export sales initiative. Tom Egan from Leonardo Helicopters also shared insight on Leonardo and industrial strategy engagement and what it means for academia, businesses and their customers.
Feedback from members who attended was very positive.
“This was an excellent event to learn, update and network with like minded OEM’s and provided a platform for SME engagement with Leonardo MW where our capabilities as a SC21, NADCAP Electronics SME supplier, together with innovation in patented AI technology, have opened the opportunity of future partnership”
The next regional briefing, hosted by General Dynamics, takes place on Wednesday 12 June, in South Wales.
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Already an ADS Member? Find out more about activities, programmes and opportunities by contacting Simon.Levy@adsgroup.org.uk
