MOD Digital and Data Commercial: Networks and Communications – industry update
10am – 1pm2 October 2026
London and online
Participation will be capped at two per company.
MOD National Armaments Digital and Data Commercial and Industry – Networks and Communications team will host an industry roundtable on 2 October 2026, bringing together key suppliers and partners to discuss opportunities to drive greater efficiency, innovation and value across the Defence communications landscape.
Session overview
As Defence continues to evolve to meet an increasingly complex and contested operating environment, the MOD must be able to sense, understand and respond to opportunities and threats at pace. Delivering this ambition relies on resilient, secure and interconnected digital services that enable data-driven decision-making and seamless collaboration across Defence, government, allies and partners.
The roundtable will provide an opportunity for industry and MOD to discuss emerging trends, market insights and innovative approaches across the Fixed Networks, Voice, Video and Mobile Communications domains. The discussion will focus on how Defence and industry can work together to improve outcomes, enhance capability, strengthen resilience and identify opportunities for greater commercial and operational efficiencies.
As part of the National Armaments Director Group, the Networks and Communications team is particularly interested in exploring opportunities to aggregate demand, maximise value from strategic supplier relationships, and accelerate the delivery of benefits across Defence.
This event is not intended to focus on individual procurement opportunities, although an overview of the current and future portfolio will be provided. Instead, the emphasis will be on collaborative engagement to help shape category strategy, inform future planning and support the delivery of Defence-wide outcomes. A detailed agenda will be circulated in due course.
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.
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.
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.
Explore the responsibilities and cross-cutting areas of techUK's Defence Programme
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
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.
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.
