Events
October 2024
Procurement in Defence & Security and LRDSC Networking Event
Hosted by BT
Date: Thursday, 31st October, 2024
Location: BT London HQ, One Braham Street, London, E1 8EE
Time: 1330 Registration, 1400 Start
We invite you to attend our second London Regional Defence and Security Cluster event which has a focus on how Procurement in the Defence and Security sectors work. Our speakers will outline the processes and key contacts to expedite selling to UK government, so that businesses, universities and other organisations can better commercialise their solutions and technologies swiftly into the Defence and Security sectors.
Speakers
Catherine Proudlove is the SME Lead for Defence Commercial in the Ministry of Defence. Catherine will give an overview of the most productive routes for industry and academia to engage with and sell into UK defence and Security.
James Gavin is the Head of MOD Defence Equipment & Support’s Future Capability Innovation team. He has served in the military, has worked in wider government and industry before joining DE&S 4 years ago. James will explain how his team accelerates capability into operations and their recent refocussing on prototype warfare, based on lessons from Ukraine.
Dina Kakaras is the Head of Commercial X. Dina will explain how Commercial X drive end-to-end, fast-paced acquisition of innovative military capability and break down barriers for SMEs and wider industry looking to work with the Ministry of Defence.
Event Programme:
1330 – Arrive, registration and refreshments
1400 – Welcome from Jon Cole BT Director of Defence, and Introduction to speakers
1420 Defence Commercial in the Ministry of Defence, Catherine Proudlove (online) followed by Q&A
1445 MOD Defence Equipment & Support’s Future Capability Innovation, James Gavin
1510 Commercial X, Dina Kakaras
1530 Panel Q&A
1600 Networking & Optional tour of the BT One Braham innovation facility
1700 End
Click here to register for event (subject to availability).
February 2025
London Regional Defence and Security Cluster Launch Event
Date, Location, Time: Date: Monday 10th February 2025, Time: 12:00-17:00
Location: Plexal, Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Plexal, London E15 2GW
Event Type: Information and Networking
The new London Regional Defence and Security Cluster is a collaboration led by industry and academia with the support of Government and its ministerial departments, such as the MoD and its innovation directorate, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). After a number of successful introductory events in 2024 the new London Regional Defence and Security Cluster is officially launched on 10th February 2025. The launch event will be an opportunity to learn about the latest changes in the defence and security landscape, as well as innovation needs and upcoming DASA opportunities. The event will help shape the cluster, connect attendees with other likeminded organisations, and hear from industry and policy leaders. The event will include contributions from keynote speakers, large organisations, SMEs, and academia. A networking lunch on arrival is also included. The launch of this cluster comes at a pivotal time for defence and security in the UK with a host of emerging strategies, renewed urgency and changing priorities. The importance of the digital domain, robust cyber security, and new defence technical capabilities are crucial to safeguard the security of the UK and our allies. The London cluster will help drive investment, increase collaboration potential, provide access to world class innovation from our university network, boost productivity, and contribute to the security of the UK and the prosperity of London.
Event Programme:
12:00 PM: Arrive, lunch and networking
1:00 PM: Welcome & keynote speakers (DASA, Front Line Commands, MoD, Academia)
2:15 PM: Panel Q&A
2:45 PM: Networking Break
3:15 PM: Themed networking breakout sessions
4:00 PM: Networking break
4:20 PM: Final panel Q&A
4:40 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing comments and depart
The following are the upcoming events
April 2025
Open Problems in AI for Defence and Securit
Date, Location, Time: Monday 28 April, Imperial College
Event Type: Information and Networking
The London Regional Defence and Security Cluster (London RDSC) invites you to join us for a half-day event on “Open Problems in AI for Defence and Security”. The event will take place at the South Kensington campus of Imperial College London, and aims to provide an opportunity to connect public sector stakeholders, industry and universities with expertise and interests in the broad area of artificial intelligence, data and applications in defence and security. The event will feature presentations from a number of stakeholders on their interests relating to AI, and will offer an opportunity for attendees to explore some pressing problems to stimulate discussion and networking.
May 2025
Prime focus: Engaging with large and big defense companies
Date, Location, Time: Tuesday 27 May, Roehampton University
Event Type: Face to Face Event and Networking
The London Regional Defence and Security Cluster (London RDSC) invites you to join us for a half-day event about how to effectively engage with leading defense and security companies by offering valuable insights into their operational structures, key priorities, and industry best practices.