DPRTE 2021: Leading defence procurement event gets underway in Farnborough

October 5, 2021

Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) 2021 will take place today as the defence industry comes together in Farnborough.

For the first time since 2019, the event will be held in a physical format and will return to Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre. However, new for 2021, DPRTE will be run as a hybrid event, allowing delegates the option to attend in person live at the venue, or alternatively to watch elements of the event from the comfort of their office or home environment.

The hybrid event will stream components from the physical live event via an interactive online platform, allowing a single collaborative experience both online and live.

While there has been changes to the way people can attend the event, one constant is that DPRTE will provide a unique platform for organisations of all sizes across the defence acquisition supply chain to connect and explore ways in which to work collaboratively, in order to bring in new and emerging capabilities in support of the current and future requirements of our Armed Forces.

Over the next decade the Ministry of Defence is committed to spending over £186 billion on equipment and support. Defence has a major role to play in delivering the Government’s growth and enterprise agenda – the MOD accounts for over 40% of all central government spend with industry and its procurement activity includes some of the most complex and technologically advanced projects in the world.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the UK economy, fuelling economic growth and providing more than 15 million jobs. At the MOD, SMEs also play a vital role in helping to deliver efficient, effective and affordable equipment, services and support for the Armed Forces.

More so, the MOD has a target of 25% of its procurement spend to go to SMEs by 2022.

The Keynote Arena

The DPRTE Keynote Arena is one of the focal points within the event, providing all visitors with a rare opportunity to hear from leading personnel from organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, academia and the wider industry network.

High-profile speakers will present on a range of topical and critical subjects that are defining the future of defence procurement, in addition to delivering against today’s current marketplace initiatives and objectives.

The Keynote sessions will be streamed live online as part of our hybrid event package, meaning you can watch the main sessions from the comfort of your home or office environment.

Chairing the Live Keynote Arena this year will be Angela Owen OBE, Founder of Women in Defence UK.

Kicking things off will be panel discussion on Opportunity & Innovation: Improving SME engagement in UK Defence featuring Helen Sawford, Head of Commercial Strategic Supplier management, Ministry of Defence; Andrew Kinniburgh, Director General, Make UK, Simon Tomlinson, Group Director of Supply Chain & Procurement, QinetiQ; Martin Lee, Programme Procurement – Airbus Defence and Space; and Jim Pennycook, Defence Industry Partner, DASA.

This will be followed by another panel that will examine the topic of the power of partnerships and harnessing a vibrant and collaborative supply chain featuring

Nigel Chandler, Key Account Manager and Strategic Campaign Lead, Airbus; David Pile, Regional Director Space Systems UK, Europe & MENA, Northrop Grumman; and Jaynie Davies, Director Commodity Support Services, from Leidos.

Next up will be Russ Tidbury, Senior Commercial Director at ENGIE Axima Marine, who will be on hand to outline how the Company is supporting the Royal Navy with its global commitments.

There will then be keynote addresses from Greg Moore, Dell, OEM EMEA; Katherine Paynter, Defence Lead, Partnerships and Impact at DASA; Alexandra Bailey

Deputy Director, Strategic Partnering Programme at the MOD; and Dougal Monk, Director of Strategic Development, Government Solutions – Europe, Middle East & Africa at KBR Government Solutions.

There will then be a final panel debate on overseas defence procurement opportunities post Brexit with Brinley Salzmann, Director, Exports & Overseas at ADS and Richard McKie, Programme Director at UKDSC & Defence Growth Partnership.

Bringing things to a close will be Former SAS Operator, Two-Time Everest Summiteer and Author, Jamie ‘Jay’ Morton, who will deliver a motivational talk on Leadership and Team building.

Knowledge Transfer Zones

DPRTE 2021 will host six 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. Each interactive zone will feature a range of educational sessions, allowing attendees to learn and share ideas in relation to the event’s key themes.

There will also be 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.

This is your opportunity to connect with the defence procurement sector all in one place, on one single day.

Technology & Innovation

The defence sector relies heavily on technology and innovation to develop new solutions to meet the challenges it is facing; however, bringing a new product or service to the market can be daunting if you don’t know how.

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

With an annual spend of approximately £3 billion on construction and infrastructure services on behalf of its customers, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) represents a significant opportunity for both current and potential suppliers in relation to supporting the Armed Forces – commissioning, building and maintaining what the men and women who serve our country need to safely live, work, train and deploy on operations.

For DPRTE 2021, 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.

Also returning for 2021, the DIO pavilion will give delegates the opportunity to meet with representatives from across the organisation, to discuss current and future projects.

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, Front Line Commands and Submarine Delivery Agency, 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.

Exporting and Business Growth

The US DOD will be returning to DPRTE this year, and once again be on hand to off advice and guidance on how to access the wealth of opportunities available within the world’s largest defence procurement marketplace.

The Exporting Pavilion, supported by UK Defence and Security Exports, 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.

Supply Chain Engagement

This Zone will feature presentations from some of the main prime contractor partners such as Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Airbus, GE Aviation and Serco, allowing you to hear direct about current and future projects, and how you can work with these organisations.

The Supply Chain Engagement Pavilion will bring together many of the key Prime Contractors currently engaged within the delivery of MOD projects, allowing visitors to book appointments for 1-2-1 meetings. Please note appointments are booked on a first come first served basis and are limited to one appointment per delegate.

Skills Enablement

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.

DPRTE Product Showcase

Last but by no means least will be the DPRTE Product Showcase. For buyers across the MOD and the wider supply chain, the showcase will offer an invaluable opportunity to engage and develop new and existing partnerships with a wealth of leading suppliers who are actively delivering a diverse range of innovative products and services that can support both current and future procurement requirements.

For the private sector suppliers, the product showcase conversely provides a unique platform to connect with over 1,000 key decision makers from throughout the full defence acquisition supply chain. This is your opportunity to place your products and services in front of those personnel and organisations responsible for an annual spend of over £20bn.

It’s not too late to book your place at DPRTE – even if you can’t be there in person. To register today for a complimentary delegate place, follow this link.

A full, in-depth review of DPRTE 2019 will appear on Defence Online soon

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