London's Defence and Security Scene Gets a Boost: A Report from the Cluster Launch
Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, LondonUnlocking Opportunities in London's Defence & Security Sector
We at Cottage Factory were thrilled to attend the launch of the London Regional Defence and Security Cluster recently, held at the prestigious Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. The event, which ran from midday to late afternoon, brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, from established defence and security firms to innovative start-ups, SMEs, prime contractors, talents, policy makers, and academics. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy and a shared sense of purpose.
The launch event highlighted the growing importance of collaboration and innovation within the defence and security sector, particularly with startups and SMEs here in London. The themes from speakers and panelists highlights clearly that the cluster aims to foster a strong ecosystem where businesses can connect, share knowledge, and explore opportunities for growth. This is fantastic news for companies like Cottage Factory, who are passionate about knowledge transfer and collaboration between academia and early adopters.
The day began with arrival and networking at 12pm, giving attendees a chance to connect informally before the formal proceedings began. At 1pm, the launch officially kicked off with a welcome address by Rodney Day, Pro Vice Chancellor at London South Bank and keynote speeches from a distinguished panel of experts. We were particularly impressed by Anita Friend, Head of DASA, who provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for innovation within the defence sector. The other keynote speakers, John Kite, Deputy Head of Industry Collaboration, Russell Gundry, Senior Director at Plexal, Hamza Huda, Defence Lead at Plexal, also contributed valuable perspectives to the discussion.
Following the keynote speeches, a lively Q&A session with the keynote panel took place at 2:15pm, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the topics discussed and ask questions directly to the experts. This was a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
After a comfort break and further networking at 2:45pm, the event moved into themed networking groups at 3:00pm. This focused approach allowed participants to connect with others who shared their specific interests within the defence and security domain, fostering more targeted and productive conversations. This was particularly useful for Cottage Factory as it allowed us to connect with potential partners and clients at the AI and Digital Technology breakout group.
Another short break for refreshments and networking at 3:45pm was followed by the final panel Q&A and a look forward at 4:00pm. This closing panel featured Ralph Wilkins (DASA Outreach Lead), James Williams (Chief Business Development Officer, Telecent), Jarryd Braithwaite (Innovation Partner Manager, Saab UK), Jacob Cooney (Dept for Business Defence and Security Exports), and Tonino Amorelli (Head of Global Group Technology Office, QinetiQ). This session focused on the future direction of the cluster and the broader defence and security landscape, leaving attendees with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.
One of the key takeaways from the event was the emphasis on collaboration and networking. The cluster's focus on building a strong community aligns perfectly with Cottage Factory's commitment to partnering with other businesses to build an ecosystems that offers a win-win for all. We believe that by working together, we can achieve significant advancements in this critical area.
The launch event provided a valuable platform for networking and building relationships with other key players in the London defence and security community. We had the opportunity to connect and discuss potential collaborations. We're particularly excited about getting our clients into consortiums and supply chains with prime contractors as and when the opportunity arises. To this end we encourage businesses in the defence and security sector in London to explore the benefits of joining the cluster and contributing to its growth.
Overall, the launch of the London Regional Defence and Security Cluster was a resounding success. It marks an important step towards strengthening the UK's defence and security capabilities and fostering innovation in this vital sector. Cottage Factory is proud to be part of this vibrant community, and we look forward to contributing to the cluster's future success.
Learn more about the London Regional Defence and Security Cluster (LRDSC):
The LRDSC is a collaborative organisation that brings together industry, academia, and the public sector in the Greater London region.
The LRDSC aims to raise the profile of regional Defence and Security (D&S) capability to stimulate business and economic growth across the greater London region.
It also seeks to provide a more joined-up approach to working between industry, academia, and government.
Membership is open to traditional and non-traditional D&S businesses, Higher Education, and research institutions.
The LRDSC is supported by the government, including the Ministry of Defence and the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).
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