The event was moved from 8 May due to train strikes.
The world is in a state of flux. The war in Ukraine has entered its third year, the Israel-Gaza conflict continues, international shipping remains under attack from Houthis in the Red Sea, and tensions increase between China and Taiwan. At the same time, a UK general election is due, and in November US Presidential elections take place, the outcome of which could likely influence events in each of these hotspots. All of this is taking place against a backdrop of efforts to digitally transform Defence across the western world, which offers both risks and opportunities in an environment in which there are acute budgetary pressures.
How does all this drive thinking across the UK Defence and Security enterprise, and what this will mean for industry, and SMEs in particular?
Through techUK’s Defence & Security SME Forum (DSSMEF), Partners from global Defence advisory firm Universal Defence and Security Solutions (UDSS) led by Air Marshal Philip Osborn CBE, Chief of Defence Intelligence (2015-2018) will share with techUK members a perspective on the current geopolitical landscape and how this translates into both the UK’s strategic Defence and Security thinking and its future capability planning.
The session will look at how SMEs in particular chart their course through the next few volatile years by setting out some of the likely vectors for Defence and Security capability development and spending. The session will include a Q&A with the UDSS senior team, followed by networking.
Universal Defence and Security Solutions Ltd (UDSS) is a global Defence consultancy providing specialist Defence and wider security advice, assistance and solutions to Governments and businesses.
Speaker
Fred Sugden
Fred Sugden
Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.
Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.
Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07985 234 170
Jeremy Wimble
Jeremy Wimble
Jeremy is the programme manager responsible for the defence programme, which works to help the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence including Defence Digital.
Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). In that role he coordinated the team’s research and impact activities for funders including the FCDO and US Department of Defense, as well as business development and strategy.
Jeremy has a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a BA (Hons) in Politics & Social Policy from Swansea University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Upcoming defence events
Defence and Security SME Forum: What does a world in flux mean for SMEs?
London and Online Forum
Defence updates
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Defence programme.
