Shaping the future: software and cloud services in defence
10am – 2pm31 October 2025
London and online
Join Defence Digital and techUK for an exclusive industry briefing focused on Software and Cloud Services, a cornerstone of the modern Defence Enterprise.
Software and cloud services has the following sub-categories:
Enterprise Software
Cloud Services
Data and Digital Services
Artificial Intelligence
Cyber
Crypt Key
Digital Intelligence
This interactive session will share Defence’s strategic intent, reveal upcoming opportunities, and provide a forum for open dialogue between buyers and suppliers shaping the next generation of digital capability.
Part 1: Strategic intent
Setting the course for software in Defence
Explore how Software and Cloud Services underpin Defence’s digital transformation and learn how industry can help deliver mission-ready technology at pace.
Building the future of software category management: Vision, Value, Purpose: Setting new standards for how Defence buys, manages, and innovates in software.
Inside the software category: Meet the team driving strategic delivery and gain insight into the diverse ecosystem of Defence software.
Transforming procurement: Challenging traditional models and embracing agile, outcome-based approaches.
The supplier journey: Understand how suppliers engage with Defence – from onboarding to scaling solutions across the enterprise.
What we want from you: A call to collaborate: how industry can partner with Defence to drive innovation, resilience, and value.
Part 2: Sub-category market stalls
Connect • Collaborate • Create
Get hands-on with the teams behind key software and cloud sub-categories.
Each market stall offers direct engagement with Defence stakeholders to explore opportunities, frameworks, and future needs.
Objectives:
See through the buyer’s lens: Understand what drives Defence decision-making and how priorities are set.
Navigate routes to market: Clarify frameworks, contracts, and engagement pathways.
Spot the opportunities: Hear about upcoming procurements, innovation challenges, and capability gaps.
Collaborate and co-create: Share insights, explore partnerships, and shape Defence’s software strategy together.
Have your say: Provide feedback and help refine the Defence approach to software and cloud engagement.
Why attend
Meet the people setting the direction for Defence software and cloud procurement.
Discover how your organisation can align, partner, and deliver value across Defence.
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.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
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.
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.
Call for contributions: Operationalising DefTech
Help shape the future of UK defence—submit your insights to techUK’s Operationalising DefTech campaign today. Drive innovation from concept to battlespace
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.
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.
