Programme 

Please have you registration QR Code ready for scanning at our registration desk.

The exhibition hall is open all day 9am until 4pm to visit and network with our exhibitors. Please also take some time to visit the GDLS UK vehicles outside on the ICC Plaza.

Fast-paced, 15 minute, pre-matched one to one meetings connecting businesses directly with buyers.

Confirmed Buyers Attending:
Airbus
General Dynamics Land Systems
Leonardo
MBDA
Northrop Grumman
Thales
Qinetiq
Rheinmetall
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Boeing
Babcock

Speakers:
Phil Jones (CEO Business in Focus)
Scott Milne (Vice President & General Manager General Dynamics Land Systems UK)

Gordon Corera explores the global landscape, what’s happening, why it matters, and what action is needed.

Speaker:
Gordon Corera (Co-host of "The Rest is Classified" Podcast)

Speaker:
Fin Monahan (Chief Fire Officer, South Wales Fire & Rescue)

Bringing together government, industry and Welsh perspectives to address the challenges and opportunities in Defence, Security & Resilience — Rising to the Challenge.

Panellists:
Scot Milne (GDLS UK)
Gordon Corera (The Rest is Classified Podcast)
Matt Jukes QPM (Metropolitan Police Service)
Brigadier Mark Davies, Commander 160 (Welsh) Brigade
Paul Lincoln (Chair of RISC)
Deborah Higgins (ADS Group)
Fin Monahan (South Wales Fire & Rescue)

Delivering the defence investment plan through procurement reform and strategic partnership with industry.

Speaker:
Jim Carter (Director General Commercial & Industry, The NAD Group)

Our expert panel featuring senior voices from industry, defence clusters and procurement will be unlocking defence investment: From Policy to Commercial Opportunity.

Panellists:
Jim Carter (The NAD Group)
Chris Griffiths (Development Bank of Wales)
Samira Braund (ADS Group)
Richard Selby (Pro Steel Engineering)

Join our event to find out about NATO procurement and how Welsh Companies can access NATO procurement opportunities.

This introductory seminar is designed to build your knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and pathways linked to NATO procurement. You will gain valuable insight into procurement processes, learn how to identify relevant projects and tender opportunities, and explore the range of procurements available through NATO.

There will also be an opportunity to take part in a one-to-one session with an expert following the seminar, allowing you to discuss your specific interests and questions in more detail.

Speakers:
Axel Lange - Head of Defence Trade (Belgium, Luxembourg & NATO) British Embassy Brussels
Thalia Morié - Defence Trade Advisor (Belgium, Luxembourg & NATO) British Embassy Brussels
Richard Hazlewood - NATO Lead, International Strategy and Secretariat Team National Armaments International, Ministry of Defence

Equipping Defence Investment: From Policy to Commercial Opportunity. A series of seminars to support suppliers in winning new business.

Speakers:
Steve Collins (Airbus Case Study SC21)
Jacob Cooney (Defence Office of Small Business)
Nathan Jones (GDLS UK Perspective)
Elgan Richards & Tristian Jones (Business Wales)
Didie Bjerglund-Martin (Joscar)

Explore supply chains, procurement and tendering through the lens of export opportunities. A series of seminars to support suppliers in winning new export business.

Speakers:
Ethan Baker (MOD SME Engagement Team)
(UK Government Export Finance Team)
Chris Roach (Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade)
Anthony Kirkbride & Hayley Vincent (Business Wales)

Join us for pre-award dinner drinks. Please note that this is event is only accessible to Celebratory Awards Dinner ticket holders.

Supported by our partner:
ICC Wales

Our prestigious Celebratory Awards Dinner will champion SMEs currently delivering excellence in the defence, resilience and security sector.

Join us at the Defence Security and Resilience Event to celebrate, with a drinks reception (From 6pm) followed by awards dinner (7pm). Hosted for 150 guests comprising sponsors, exhibitors and invited stakeholders, on Thursday 3rd September. Please note that this is event is only accessible to Celebratory Awards Dinner ticket holders.

After-Dinner Speaker:
General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE (Former Commander of Joint Forces Command)

Speakers:
Sir Terry Matthews (Chair, Wesley Clover)
Phil Jones (Business In Focus)

Supported by our sponsor:
Anduril

Please have you registration QR Code ready for scanning at our registration desk.

The exhibition hall is open all day 9am until 3pm to visit and network with our exhibitors. Please also take some time to visit the GDLS UK vehicles outside on the ICC Plaza.

​

Speaker:
Sharon James-Evans (Principal, Cardiff and Vale College)

Why investment matters and what the aims of the day are (context, opportunities to connect).

Speaker:
Daniel Sawko (Meet the Investor), Walmer Group, Browne Jacobson, shipshape.vc

Presentation about the Deeptech Academy. The Academy is a flagship regional initiative, designed to strengthen South-East Wales’ position as a leading location that supports advanced manufacturing, cyber-engineering, aerospace engineering, cyber technologies, creative industries, and innovation-led growth.

Speaker:
Professor Pete Burnap (Cardiff University)

Wales as a hub for defence and security investment and development against the backdrop of increased focused on UK resilience and innovation.

Speaker:
Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

Hear directly from industry leaders in this interactive panel exploring future workforce needs and in-demand skills.

Speakers:
Pete Burnap (Cardiff University)
Bruce Fellowes (Cardiff and Vale Collage)
Kate Godwin-Tate (BAE Systems)
Owen Miller (Apprentice at BAE Systems)
Rania Elzeiny (ADS Groups Skills Team)
Philip Worth (Solis Design)

De-risking defence investment: BBB Industrial Strategy Growth Capital, National Wealth Fund, Development Bank of Wales, DIAG/DIU & What the private sector thinks (investment signal is there, procurement timelines are more fluid). What's actually available and how founders get in front of it.

What's actually available and how founders get in front of it.

Panellists:
Ross Rattray (Deloitte)
Costa Mariella (British Business Bank Direct Equity)
Beth Cousins (Development Bank Wales)
Anthony Mensier (Expeditions Fund)
Spencer John (Llanellec Engineering)
Aimie Stone (ADS Group)

Scaling defence tech revenue into Europe, the US and NATO allies — why UK MOD budget alone isn’t enough to sustain businesses.

Panellists:
David Peto (Gridfire)
Richard Hird (Deloitte)
Edmund Phillips (NSSIF)
Josh Western (Space Forge)
James Murray (Janus)

Join us and meet your future employer, be inspired by real apprentice success stories and network with some of the biggest industry organisations. An informal session aimed at students and recent graduates.

Session for ecosystem networking and Investor 1:1 Meetings

7 finalists give their 5-min investor pitch with 3-min Q&A each

Join us and meet your future employer, be inspired by real apprentice success stories and network with some of the biggest industry organisations. An informal session aimed at students and recent graduates.