National Online Industry Meet-up - Defence Special

Join our Defence Special Industry Meet-up!

Join us for a focused Defence Special, bringing together manufacturers, SMEs, defence stakeholders, and industry experts to explore opportunities within the UK's defence sector.

Our National Industry Meet-up series is designed to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and share practical insights that drive real impact. Each session features expert speakers and interactive roundtable discussions.

This special edition will explore how businesses can access defence opportunities, engage with the Ministry of Defence, support defence exports, and contribute to future defence capability through innovation and collaboration.

Join us for this engaging 75-minute event designed to spark new connections, share valuable insights, and support growth across the manufacturing and defence communities.

July's lineup of speakers and Roundtable Session subtopics includes:

• Jacob Cooney – SME Engagement Project Manager, Ministry of Defence

How the UK Ministry of Defence can Support SMEs with Defence Exports 

This session will provide an insight into the export support available to UK SMEs from the Ministry of Defence. Attendees will learn about the role of international desk officers and the UK’s diplomatic service, as well as military capability advisors. The talk will also cover practical ways for SMEs to get involved in MOD trade shows and trade missions, enabling them to access new markets and strengthen their position within defence-related supply chains.

• Andrew Butt – Chair of the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Defence and Security Cluster (RDSC)

The SME and mid-tier challenge: making defence easier to access

The Regional Defence & Security Clusters exist to connect each region’s industrial, academic and innovation capability to real defence and security demand. Their purpose is not to create another talking shop, but to provide a practical front door for manufacturers, SMEs, primes, universities, investors, local authorities and defence stakeholders to understand requirements, build credible partnerships, improve routes into defence, and strengthen contribution to national resilience. The Cluster is intended to turn dispersed capability into a more visible, coordinated and commercially useful defence ecosystem.

•  Mark Darvill - Transformation and Development Lead, MOD - UK Defence Innovation

Defence Innovation: Connecting Frontline Need with UK Manufacturing Capability

In this talk, Mark Darvill from UK Defence Innovation will explore how defence identifies and coheres operational problems, prioritises technical challenges and connects industry capability to future defence needs.

Drawing on his role as Transformation and Development Lead within the Ministry of Defence’s innovation ecosystem, Mark will look at how UKDI connects real-world operational needs with innovative solutions from industry, helping shape future UK defence capability.

Manufacturers, engineering firms and technology-led businesses will gain a clearer understanding of how their capabilities can align with priority challenges, demand signals and future capability needs.

Agenda

9:00 AM – Members join the virtual meeting
9:02 AM – Official welcome and event start
9:02–9:10 AM – Community updates and announcements
9:10–9:38 AM – Best Practice Talks from Made Community speakers (1, 2 & 3)
(Each talk: 5–8 minutes)
9:40 AM – Member Virtual Roundtable Sessions
Members join their chosen session via the Made Platform events page
10:10 AM – Return to the main room for final remarks and goodbyes