Hosted jointly by techUK and SC Strategy Ltd, this panel event will share insight into the investment screening regime established under the UK’s National Security and Investment Act 2021 (NS&I Act). Two panel members are also elected members of techUK’s National Security Committee and looking forward to hearing from techUK members on the challenges that are being faced.
After almost two years of the NS&I Act, we have seen an acute impact on defence and national security-relevant technology firms. The areas where the Government perceives there to be security risks, and appropriate responses and mitigation strategies, are becoming increasingly apparent. There are clear implications for technology companies’ growth and investment plans, and key operations like supply chain management.
Key topics covered at this event will include:
- What are the latest developments in the implementation of the NS&I Act? What did the Annual Report 2023 say and what does it mean?
- What are the key Government national security concerns of relevance to the technology industry?
- What are the dynamics of deals? How should companies work with Government to navigate a deal through the act?
- How could companies ensure, up front, they remain NS&I Act-viable, especially if they want to work with Defence & national security in future?
- Will we see more Government openness with business in future?
- How does the UK compare with approaches in other countries?
Chaired by Fred Sugden, Associate Director for Defence and National Security, we will be joined by:
- Dan Spacie, Senior Advisor Defence, National Security and Technology at SC Strategy Ltd - formerly an NS&I Act risk manager at the UK Ministry of Defence.
- Ross Evans, Senior Associate, FDI and National Security at Baker McKenzie LLP, London
- A senior Government representative involved in the NS&I screening process
Fred Sugden
Fred Sugden
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
National Security updates
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our National Security programme.
