Call for contributions: Operationalising DefTech

This year's campaign will from from 17 November to 20 November.

September’s Defence Industrial Strategy and the preceding Strategic Defence Review both set out bold ambitions for how the Ministry of Defence will develop, procure and deploy Defence Technology (DefTech). However, as highlighted in our Defence Board’s DefTech Manifesto, the challenge facing the UK’s Defence Enterprise is grasping the increasing complexity and scale in making that transformation a reality.

Last year’s Defence campaign week examined the ways in which technology will transform defence strategically, tactically, and logistically. Looking beyond the theory, this year we will focus on how to make that transformation a reality: to operationalise DefTech.

Throughout the week we will publish contributions from techUK members, offering thought-leadership on how government and industry in partnership can address the core-enabler challenges that delay and prevent technologies from reaching the battlespace.

Members are invited to propose content related to one of the daily themes below:

Monday – Architectures and Integration

How can the Defence Enterprise achieve Integration-by-Design, making data requirements a prerequisite, balancing cloud-native and physical infrastructure approaches.

Tuesday – Delivering Capability

How can Defence move from the pilot phase to scale when it comes to the deployment of AI. Going beyond calls for ‘agile procurement’, how can defence adapt/adopt the most relevant and appropriate methodologies for ensuring continuous innovation.

Looking over-the-horizon, how does the MOD think beyond the immediate, to start considering the applications for what currently falls under ‘deep tech’.

Wednesday – Commercial

What can the Ministry of Defence learn from industry’s approach to managing and calculating risk. How can the MOD facilitate new forms of collaborative working between SME clusters, SMEs and Primes, and academia.

Beyond the policy, how do large organisations such as the MOD affect the necessary cultural shift to turn the theory of innovating ‘at pace’ into a reality.

Thursday – Addressing the Skills Shortage

How can the MOD and industry work in partnership to tackle the digital skills shortage facing the Defence Enterprise, strengthening the Digital Reserves, and bringing greater technological understanding to the frontline.

How can the MOD view AI as a tool for freeing up capacity and creating greater efficiencies in contract and supplier management.

The campaign week will start with a launch event on Monday 17 November, as part of which we will run pitch sessions for techUK members to present on a particular project or product they are working on which would drive change within defence. To express an interest in a speaking slot, please email [email protected].

Defence Programme activities

The Defence programme works to help the UK’s defence technology sector align itself with the MOD. techUK members are able to navigate and better understand the UK Defence sector to successfully align their own investment and resources to take advantage of business opportunities. Visit the programme page here.

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Meet the team

Fred Sugden

Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK

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

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Jeremy Wimble

Senior Programme Manager, Defence, techUK

Jeremy manages techUK's defence programme, helping the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence - including the National Armaments Directorate (NAD), UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and Frontline Commands - through a broad range of activities including policy consultation, private briefings and early market engagement. The Programme 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]
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-wimble-89183482/

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Francesca Richiusa

Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

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/

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Call for contributions: Operationalising DefTech

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Jeremy Wimble

Tracy Modha