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Defence and Security Groups
Our members currently lead the following workstreams.
Defence Board
The Defence Board is our most senior industry grouping in the defence and security sectors. It is comprised of high level representatives from strategically important companies active in the UK.
Defence and Security SME Forum
The DSMEF is comprised of SME companies from the techUK membership. The DSMEF seeks to include a broad grouping of different SME companies working in the Defence & Security (D&S) sectors.
Chair: Graham Booth, 2iC
Vice-Chair: Andrew Dixon, SVGC
Defence Commercial Business Forum
The Defence Commercial Business Forum (DCBF) provides a conduit for the Commercial professional community within the techUK membership to engage with their Commercial counterparts and other stakeholders within Her Majesty’s Government (HMG), principally with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and in particular Defence Digital.
Chair: Ann Ibbotson, L3Harris
Vice-Chair: Sue Elderfield, QinetiQ
Defence Research and Technology Forum
The Defence Research & Technology Forum (DRTF) represents the interests of techUK members to Defence stakeholders involved in the funding, and conduct of Research & Technology within the UK Defence markets. The DRTF assists the MOD in the formulation of effective R&T policy and brings greater Government awareness to the capabilities that exist within the UK technology industry.
Chair: Matt Albans, L3Harris ASV
Vice-Chair: Stephanie Eden, Airbus
Information Superiority Forum
The Information Superiority Forum (ISF) looks at information superiority (IS) across the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The ISF leads on engagement with the MOD's FLCs and across the department's Defence Digital organisation. The Forum gives techUK members insight into the future strategies of key stakeholders in the MOD's the information community.
Chair: Nick Hartley, Leidos
Vice-Chair: Chris Lewis, Babcock
Vice-Chair: John Philliban, CGI
Defence updates
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Programme Team
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our team. We'd be happy to help you out.
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 manages techUK's defence programme, helping the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence - including Defence Digital, DE&S, innovation units and Frontline Commands - through a broad range of activities including private briefings and early market engagement events. It also supports the MOD as it procures new digital technologies.
Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) coordinating 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]
Francesca Richiusa
Francesca Richiusa
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/