techUK publishes Defence Industrial Strategy Review submission

techUK calls on MOD to address ‘core-enabler’ challenges in Defence Industrial Strategy.

On 2 December 2024 Defence Secretary John Healey announced the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy review, ‘inviting investors, innovators, industry and trade unions to give their views on how to grow a better, more integrated, more innovative and more resilient defence sector’.

The Review identified six key themes: prioritising UK businesses; creating partnerships; providing certainty and stability; seizing the future; Spread prosperity; and enhancing the credibility of the UK’s deterrence.

Throughout January and February, techUK’s Defence Programme consulted with both Prime and SME members, from which emerged three key priorities that are fundamental if the UK is to cultivate a vibrant and diverse Defence technology sector in the UK.:

The Ministry of Defence must act as both an intelligent and reliable customer and partner. This means understanding what it is buying and why, contracting promptly, paying on time, and accepting dependencies when necessary.

The MOD must act in partnership with the rest of government in approaching technologies - setting standards and definitions - while tackling the ‘core-enabler’ challenges such as security vetting and clearances (a practical barrier to companies working across Defence and National Security).

Finally, it must streamline and restructure the overly complex Defence innovation ecosystem, with clear delineations of responsibility across Head Office, Strategic Command, Front Line Commands, and delivery agencies.

The full submission can be read here:

techUK's Defence Industrial Strategy submission

For more on the work of techUK's Defence Programme, email Programme Manager Jeremy Wimble.

Jeremy Wimble

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 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]

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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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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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