DPRTE Engage 2020: UK’s leading procurement event takes place today

September 3, 2020

Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) Engage Online 2020, is going live today on 3 September.

Officially supported by the UK’s leading defence procurement and support organisations, this year’s innovative event will host a wide range of skills development and interactive features including:

Ten Keynote speakers
Over 50 Training Sessions
Six Networking & Collaboration Zones
Four Exhibition Halls

The DPRTE Engage 2020 engaging virtual environment will see buyers, suppliers and thought leaders in the defence marketplace come together to network and discuss the latest market developments and opportunities.

This immersive experience utilises state-of-the-art technology will provide the opportunity to fully leverage the DPRTE experience, all from the safety and convenience of your own environment.

The event is designed to strengthen links and communication between the Ministry of Defence, its prime contractors and the entire defence supply chain.

Participants logging in to the event will be taken to an interactive 3D lobby that functions as a launchpad guiding them to various sections of the event providing easy access to areas such as the Exhibition Hall, Keynote Arena, Training and Networking Zones.

With exhibitors located across the virtual exhibition landscape, delegates can easily navigate through the space just like a physical event. The DPRTE virtual exhibition stands work just like a regular event – staff can meet delegates, schedule meetings, chat through text, audio and live video calls, engage through social media and even, ‘take away’ literature from each stand.

Attendees will have access to the DPRTE Product Showcase Exhibition (featuring over 100 suppliers), Live Keynote Arena, five Knowledge Transfer Zones and six Networking and Collaboration Zones.

Live Keynote Arena

The DPRTE Engage 2020 Live Keynote Arena will host some of the leading and most influential speakers from across the defence procurement and supply chain marketplace.

Attendees will have an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from those personnel who are actively engaged in both setting and delivering the direction of the UK’s defence procurement and supply chain strategy.

Chairing the Live Keynote Arena this year once again will be DPRTE regular – Commercial Strategies Ltd CEO and former Ministry of Defence Commercial Director Les Mosco.

The opening keynote address will be delivered by the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin MP. He will be followed by Andrew Forzani, Chief Commercial Officer at the MOD.

Rob Solly, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Division Head, Defence and Security Analysis will then discuss the agency’s role in exploiting technical innovation in contributing to defence and security of the UK.

Up next is Jonathon Pollock, Navy Command Deputy Director Commercial from the Front Line Commands.

There will then follow an online Live Panel Q&A with the morning speakers.

The afternoon addresses will begin with Claire Kober OBE, Managing Director at Pinnacle Homes, who will be taking a look at the topic of Championing new perspectives to support the military community.

Brigadier Philip McNee, Head of the Medical Operational Capability team for Defence Medical Services will then talk about innovation in defence medical supplies.

New Commercial Director at the Submarine Delivery Agency, Jim Carter, will look at diversity in the SDA’s supply chain.

Scott Petty, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone will then give some key insight on the subject of the evolution of technology and innovation to Counter Terror in the Defence Sector.

Bringing the keynotes to a close will be Colonel Tim Collins OBE, who will deliver a motivational speech focusing on leadership and team building. Colonel Collins delivered the infamous speech to British troops of the 1st Royal Irish Battle Group on the eve of battle in March 2003, with his words making him an overnight hero with world leaders and infantrymen globally.

DPRTE Engage 2020 will host five unique Knowledge Transfer Zones designed specifically to enhance the knowledge and skills of all attendees, both buyers and suppliers, who are engaged within the defence acquisition supply chain:

Technology & Innovation

The Technology and Innovation Knowledge Transfer Zone will bring together some of the leading technology organisations to deliver sessions designed to keep you up to date on defence technology innovations, how to access funding and how you can bring your product to the marketplace.

Infrastructure & Estates

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) will host the Infrastructure and Estates Knowledge Transfer Zone, including a range of topical educational and interactive sessions designed specifically to enhance your knowledge and ability to contribute to the future direction and delivery of the ongoing defence infrastructure and estates procurement programme.

Speakers include David Brewer, DIO Chief Operating Officer; Simon Donnan, DIO Head of Delivery Support; Brigadier James Crawford, Assistant Chief of Staff for Infrastructure, Joint Forces Command; and Nick Wilkinson, DIO Commercial Director.

Prime Contractor and Supply Chain

The Supply Chain Knowledge Transfer Zone will see some of the Prime Contractors deliver sessions on supply chain opportunities available as part of current/future projects.

Speakers include: MOD; Martin Lee, Programme Procurement Manager, Airbus Defence and Space; Tom O’Bryne, Supply Chain Lead, QinetiQ; Gavin Shepheard, Sales and Marketing Director and Dipesh Patel, Account Manager- Commercial/Defence Sector from Commerce Decisions; and Freddie Roe, Director – Aerospace & Defence, Astute Electronics Limited.

Doing Business with the US DoD

The US defence market is the largest in the world, with a proposed defence procurement budget of over $686 billion for the forthcoming financial year.

Representatives from the US DoD will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on how to access the wealth of opportunities available within the world’s largest defence procurement marketplace, through a range of training sessions and one-to-one meetings.

Procurement Skills

Developing commercial capability across the MOD is an ongoing priority. The Procurement Skills Knowledge Transfer Zone will support this through the delivery of a range of CPD Certified interactive sessions, designed specifically to enhance the overall procurement skills and capabilities of those personnel engaged within the defence acquisition process.

Networking and Collaboration Zones

DPRTE will also host six unique networking and collaboration areas offering buyers and suppliers the chance to engage with key personnel and organisations representing the diverse sectors that contribute to the future strategy and current delivery of the defence procurement marketplace and its supply chain.

Equipment & Supplies

The Equipment and Supplies Pavilion will provide visitors with an unrivalled opportunity to engage directly with key procurement organisations, such as DE&S, that are responsible for setting procurement strategy and delivering the MOD’s annual procurement spend of over £20 billion.

For MOD and wider public sector personnel engaged within the delivery of procurement, the Pavilion will bring together key organisations, providing a unique networking opportunity. In addition, the Pavilion offers the chance to share and explore the ideas and best practice that are actively supporting and developing current objectives and initiatives.

Technology & Innovation

The Technology and Innovation Pavilion at DPRTE Engage 2020 will provide attendees with the opportunity to meet with key organisations that can help and advise on potential funding options and bringing products and services to the market within a science and technology programme worth over £400 million a year.

Infrastructure & Estates

This area will allow visitors to engage with the DIO, which plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing the infrastructure needed to support defence, and is responsible for enabling defence people to live, work, train and deploy at home and overseas.

Prime Contractor and Supply Chain

The Prime Contractor and Supply Chain Pavilion will bring together many of the key prime contractors currently engaged within the delivery of MOD projects, allowing visitors to book appointments for one-to-one meetings.

Export and Business Growth

The UK is the second largest global defence exporter, commanding approximately 12% of the export market, according to DIT DSO statistics.

The Export and Business Growth Pavilion, supported by DIT DSO, will allow delegates to meet with representatives from some of the largest overseas defence markets, with a view to exporting products or services. Learn more about how your organisation can gain a share of this marketplace worth around £9 billion.

Defence Market Engagement

To fully engage with the defence marketplace, you need solutions that underpin your strategic approach to market and drive your tactics. The DPRTE Engage Defence Market Engagement Zone will provide you with a range of solutions focused towards helping your business gain that all-important first-mover advantage.

Chat to our teams about how we can help you engage earlier with buyers and make sure you aren’t missing a single relevant opportunity within the defence sector.

Book your place today and join over 1,500 key decision makers at this hugely important virtual one-day event – https://www.dprte.co.uk/book-now/

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