Great South West

Our ‘Delivering the UK’s Defence Security’ conference at Westminster next week will highlight the region’s strategic importance to delivering national defence. Supacat is proud to be a Supporting Partner for this key event, which underscores the South West’s role as a hub for innovation and collaboration in defence. "We are delighted to be the Supporting Partner for the Great South West's event to launch the region’s first Defence Prospectus. This is an important document that illustrates the existing defence assets and capabilities in the region, identifying where economic growth can be guaranteed provided there is adequate investment and recognition. "As an SME in the region we are proud to be part of that mix, contributing to the nation’s security and the region’s prosperity by ensuring that 85% of our materials are procured from within the region, and recruiting and training our staff from the local community. “Our international customer base also enormously enhances our ability to create growth in the region. We commend this document to the Members of Parliament and wider stakeholders, as a clear statement of intent and capability from the region.” With over four decades of expertise in design engineering, Supacat is a leading force in British military vehicle engineering. As the design authority for the High Mobility Transporter (HMT), Supacat supports the British Army with a fleet of over 700 vehicles, while actively contributing to the UK’s defence priorities. The South West’s strategic position makes it a critical player in advancing national security, and Supacat is committed to this effort. #UKDefence #UKSecurity #Innovation Nick Ames Phil Applegarth Nicky Yeoman Chartered Marketer MSc DipM MCIM Kev Carpenter MSc Lizzie Jones Steve Austen

Position your organisation front-and-centre of our region’s nationally strategic defence sector at UKREiiF 2025. The Great South West is the UK’s defence powerhouse, with internationally important strengths in marine, photonics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles. This year, don’t miss the opportunity to champion our region’s defence companies and innovators. Join us at the Great South West Pavilion as an Event Partner, and unlock: - Access to decision-makers, business leaders, developers, and investors - The chance to collaborate with leading names in defence and infrastructure - A platform to position your brand as a champion of South West defence and innovation Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eeHzvSAP #BackTheGreatSouthWest #DefenceInnovation #SouthWestDefence #UKREiiF2025 Leonardo Gabriella Ardessi John Stevenson Babcock International Group Brendan Staniforth Gail Eastaugh UKREiiF

BAE Systems has been awarded a £285m contract by the Ministry of Defence, to support an eight-year programme ensuring the Navy is ready for evolving military challenges. RECEDE will deliver high levels of safety, security and availability of combat systems across 20 ships, alongside implementing BAE Systems’ CMS, and collaborative working with DE&S Maritime Combat Systems and Navy Command. Steve Carter, Naval Ships Combat Systems Director, BAE Systems, said: “RECODE represents a huge stride forward in our partnership with the Royal Navy and will help to realise warfare capability of the future. The global threat picture, advances in commercial technology and the immense volume of data available to crews means we need to become even more ambitious and far-reaching in our services and support. We are excited and privileged to secure this programme that will sit at the heart of the Navy’s ambition to be a protean force.” RECODE will support more than 200 highly skilled jobs across the Company’s sites in Filton, Dorchester, New Malden, Frimley and Portsmouth. Read more about the programme: https://lnkd.in/efykqrEx #UKdefence #UKNavy #SouthWest #Dorset Dorset Council UK Dorset LEP South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster Glyn Hughes Neil Skelland Cecilia Bufton UK Ministry of Defence

The Great South West is a national powerhouse for defence and security. Next week we launch the region’s first Defence Prospectus in Westminster, bringing together Government, military, and industry leaders to highlight the region’s critical role in delivering the UK’s defence security. With £6 billion in MOD commitments over the next decade, the South West is home to world-class assets, including Devonport Dockyard, Leonardo UK’s helicopter facility in Yeovil, and the National Drone Hub in Cornwall. And we are leading in defence innovation and cutting-edge technologies, from advanced manufacturing to autonomy and cybersecurity, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of global security. Sponsored by Leonardo UK and Supacat, this event will highlight opportunities for investment, collaboration, and future growth in one of the UK’s most strategic and economically important sectors. #BackTheGreatSouthWest #GreatInnovation #UKSecurity #UKDefence Nick Ames Neil Skelland ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK Babcock International Group Thales Defence Marine AI Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd A & P FALMOUTH LIMITED Blue Abyss Global Loop Technology Ltd Slingshot Aerospace South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster

Register today for January's South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster event 🚀 The first SWRDSC member event of 2025 is happening on 28th January at Larkhill Exhibition Centre,  with the UK DSE Export Support Team (EST). This event focuses on Defence exports and will feature presentations from: - UK DSE Export Support Team - UK Export Finance - John Pipe International - BAE Systems - CAMCODE GLOBAL LTD …and more. If you’re not a member yet, now’s the perfect time to join the Cluster and gain access to exclusive events like this. 🔗 Join today: https://lnkd.in/egjumYY #SWRDSC #DefenceAndSecurity #DefenceExports #NetworkingEvent

The Great South West’s legacy of defence innovation is critical to UK security. Our region is home to strategic assets like Devonport - Europe’s largest naval base - and world-class innovation hubs across land, sea, air, space, and cyber. At our upcoming ‘Delivering the UK’s Defence Security’ event in March, we’ll be ensuring the Government recognises the South West’s vital role as the UK’s defence powerhouse, and fostering opportunities for collaboration and growth across industry, military, and Government sectors. Thank you to our Event Partners Leonardo Helicopters UK and Supacat for their ongoing support of our work to champion the region’s defence sector on the national stage. #BackTheGreatSouthWest #DefenceSecurity #UKDefence #Innovation   Steve Race Neil Skelland Clive Higgins Nick Ames Phil Applegarth Simon Reid Babcock International Group Edward Taylor Adam Dance Andrew George MP Anna Gelderd Sir Ashley Fox MP Ben Maguire MP Andy Start Caroline Voaden Cillian Cousins Dave Tomaney Gail Eastaugh Fred Thomas MP

Be at the forefront of our collective effort to drive investment into the South West’s clean energy sector at UKREiiF 2025. Home to cutting-edge opportunities in floating offshore wind, battery manufacturing, and clean technologies, the South West is driving the UK’s transition to net zero - and we’ll be bringing the region’s nationally strategic projects to the UK’s biggest real estate and investment forum. Don’t miss this opportunity to play a key role in championing our energy sector on the national stage. As a Partner, you’ll get to: ✅ Engage with key decision-makers, developers, and investors. ✅ Highlight your role in supporting the sector. ✅ Align your brand with the South West’s world-class clean energy expertise. Contact isobel.shaw@program.agency to explore partnership opportunities   #BackTheGreatSouthWest #CleanEnergy #UKREiiF2025 #NetZero Andrew Cockcroft Liz Parsons Jeremy Wrathall Matt Hodson UKREiiF Clive Higgins 

Loop Technology Ltd, a Dorset-based leader in advanced manufacturing, has won the prestigious JEC Innovation Award for their groundbreaking work in composite automation for the aerospace sector. Collaborating with global leaders like Boeing, Airbus, and the National Composites Centre, Loop Technology is delivering innovative solutions that are shaping the future of aerospace manufacturing and reinforcing the South West’s reputation for cutting-edge innovation. This achievement is a testament to the region’s expertise and its role in driving advanced technologies on a global scale. Congratulations to the team at Loop Technology on this well-deserved recognition. 📖 Learn more about their award-winning work: https://lnkd.in/du7m-TPT #BackTheGreatSouthWest #GreatInnovation #AdvancedManufacturing #Aerospace Alun Reece Samantha Reece Matt Hardman

The South West Regional Hub for Nuclear Skills has officially launched, cementing the region’s position as a leader in the UK’s nuclear future. This vital hub, led by Babcock International Group, brings together industry, academia, and local Government to drive the development of critical skills needed to support the UK’s clean energy transition and energy security goals. Based in Plymouth, the hub will ensure the South West plays a central role in meeting the growing demand for highly skilled workers in the nuclear sector, creating opportunities for local talent while supporting national ambitions for a sustainable future. Discover how the hub is shaping the future of nuclear energy: https://lnkd.in/eJhKCpPH #BackTheGreatSouthWest #CleanEnergy #NuclearSkills #GreatInnovation #NetZero Harry Holt Andrew Cockcroft EDF (UK) Brendan Staniforth Collette McMullen Lynne Matthews Mark Rouse Neil Skelland Karl Tucker South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster

"What Cornwall truly needs is a broader, more sustainable approach to growth - one that prioritises quality, innovation, and long-term benefits rather than focusing on short-term output." Christopher Weavill, CEO of Cornwall-based tech firm Hertzian, shares his thoughts on how the county can achieve its full potential: https://lnkd.in/d_tbNXn3 #CornishTech #SouthWestTech #Innovation #PublicSector #UKTechPolicy Tech Cornwall Cornwall Space Cluster Niki Davies James Fairbairn Toby Parkins Dan Pritchard Ben Cooper Cornwall Angel Network