Briefing: Opportunities in Offset, Defence Trade Finance and SME Funding

ADS are collaborating with the London Trade Roundtable and Capital Offset Services Ltd to organise a half-day seminar on Defence Trade Finance, Offset and Defence SME Funding, the day before the opening of the major, international DSEI 2025 exhibition.

This free to participate joint event is intended to explore the business opportunities that are available in this challenging time, both for the suppliers and also the trade finance sector.

This event will cover

Background

One of the major inhibitors that is perceived by a number of British and European defence and security companies in general, and by small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, is accesses to adequate trade finance support, with many suppliers to such essential assistance perceived to have “issues” (quite often related to ESG – or Environmental, Social and Governance – related concerns) involving supporting these sectors. Many defence and security companies have come to regard these issues as representing an existential threat to them. Yet, at the same time, the essential need for European governments to raise their defence and security spending to enhance their capabilities to ensure that their national security requirements have not been higher since the end of the “Cold War” some 35 years’ ago.

Agenda

To register your place, click here.

To contact the ADS team, click here.

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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Briefing: Opportunities in Offset, Defence Trade Finance and SME Funding

This event will cover

Background

Agenda

To register your place, click here.

To contact the ADS team, click here.