Maximising the potential of the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy
9.30am – 4.30pm17 May 2022
London
It set out a strategic and ambitious approach to strengthening the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors and has acted as a guiding framework for HMG and industry to work together in partnership. This event will provide an important opportunity for officials, industry representatives and academia to come together and review the progress made in implementing the wide swath of policy, process and legislative changes the DSIS set out, as well as to set out ways to accelerate and advance this work in collaboration.
At the heart of the DSIS, it promised a new approach that recognises the link between national security and prosperity, and therefore the importance of a sustainable defence and security industrial base to achieving the objectives set out in HMG’s overarching Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. The DSIS set out proposed reforms across four key areas of acquisition and procurement; productivity and resilience; technology and innovation; and international collaboration, exports and foreign investment. Alongside a high-level panel featuring senior representatives from HMG, this event will therefore feature a series of workshops that will focus on key issues in each overarching policy area.
To register your interest please use the book now button and register interest through the ADS website, by no later than 6 May 2022. Please note that places are limited for this event and all registrations of interest will be approved and will be allocated and confirmed w/c 9 May 2022. A registration of interest does not guarantee a place at the event.
A full agenda will be sent closer to the date. We will also confirm if you have not been allocated a place on this occasion.
Fred Sugden
Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK
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.
Freddie MacSwiney is the Programme Manager for Defence and Cyber Security at techUK.
Prior to joining techUK, Freddie worked as a Government Adviser for a firm dealing in International Relations, where he briefed Politicians, Ministers, Heads of State, Diplomats around the world on key issues from Defence, Security and other key issues and aligned them with the UK.
Raya Tsolova
Programme Manager, National Security, techUK
Raya Tsolova
Programme Manager, National Security, techUK
Raya Tsolova is the Programme Manager for National Security at techUK.
Raya is responsible for all National Security related activities across techUK, specifically in the established programmes of Defence, Cyber Security and Justice & Emergency Services. Raya will leverage relationships with existing stakeholders across the three programmes, and will build new relationships between techUK and key stakeholders who are of interest to member companies.
Prior to joining techUK, Raya worked in Business Development for an expert network firm within the institutional investment space. Before this Raya spent a year in industry working for a tech start-up in London as part of their Growth team which included the formation and development of a 'Let's Talk Tech' podcast and involvement in London Tech Week.
Raya has a degree in Politics and International Relations (Bsc Hons) from the University of Bath where she focused primarily on national security and counter-terrorism policies, centreing research on female-led terrorism and specific approaches to justice there.
Outside of work, Raya's interests include baking, spin classes and true-crime Netflix shows!
The techUK Annual Dinner will take place on Wednesday, 13 July 2022. Our Annual Dinner is the established, must-attend business dinner in our calendar. The evening will begin with a drinks reception, allowing ample networking opportunities, followed by a fabulous dinner and speeches from the country's leading technology stakeholders.