You’ve been in your role as DE&S CEO just over six months now, what have been the highlights of your time in the role so far?
“It’s been a very busy six months – but there have been a number of standout highlights. First and foremost it’s seeing first-hand how brilliantly our dedicated people go above and beyond to deliver for Defence.
“Our excellent support to Ukraine is centre stage, but we do so much more to deliver capability, new technology and in-service support to the Armed Forces, a lot of which flies under the radar.
“I’ve visited all our DE&S sites, and other defence and industry locations including the Defence Fulfilment Centre, Scottish shipyards and front line RAF Stations, and I’ve seen how defence and industry work hand in hand to make all this possible.
“Another highlight has been working with our allies in my role as UK National Armaments Director both in support of Ukraine and other mutually important defence and security issues.
“Ultimately, our people are key to our future success and events such as National Apprenticeships Week, British Science Week and Women in Defence showcase the talent we have to take DE&S and Defence to the next level.”
The world has changed since the adoption of the DE&S Strategy2025, how are you shaping the organisation to accommodate the changing landscape?
“We wrote the DE&S Strategy 2025 in 2021. But everything changed in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. It is the first major conflict in Europe since the Second World War, and repercussions for international security, stability and the world order we’ve known for decades.
“Our excellent support to Ukraine shows that DE&S is a good organisation today that can really pull together as one team to deliver with pace and agility when we have a clear mandate.
“But we recognise that we need to do even better. The world’s radically changed, as have the threats we face, so we’ve got to change too.
“We need to get out in front to get ahead of our adversaries today and be ready for tomorrow. This has driven us to refresh our strategy.
“We’ve taken a critical inward look at how we operate today, so that we can optimise our operational model to ensure we are ready to deliver what the Armed Forces need tomorrow.
“Put simply, we need to get kit into the hands of our armed forces more quickly, with greater availability, when and where they need it.
“This isn’t just about DE&S, the way we work in defence impacts and shapes the way that over 200,000 people in the UK Defence industrial base and throughout the supply chain operate and perform – as we become more lean and agile we help them to do the same and become more globally competitive too.”
How important is the defence supply chain to meeting the challenges facing UK Defence?
“The defence supply chain is vitally important to UK defence.
“We are all part of one Defence team – DE&S, the wider Ministry of Defence, our allies and our industry partners who manufacture, deliver and support the equipment needed to give our armed forces the edge to protect our nation.
“We simply can’t deliver that capability to the Armed Forces when and where they need it without a strong, resilient supply chain. Recent events including the Covid pandemic, war in Ukraine and the resulting economic shocks have all served to test our supply chains and defence is not immune to the impact of these seismic events.
“It’s therefore more important than ever that we work together with our supply chains to navigate these challenges and ensure we can continue to deliver for UK Defence.”
You have a background in the space sector, is this an area you expect to see greater supply chain opportunities for the defence sector?
“Most certainly. The launch of UK Space Command in July 2021 illustrates the importance of space to Defence as an ever-growing area of operations.
“It’s an area I think we all recognise as a leader in exploiting new, cutting-edge technologies. Delivering those advanced capabilities will be a major focus for Defence in the future as we develop the responsible use of space to promote, monitor and uphold global security.
“The defence supply chain will have a crucial role to play in ensuring defence can play its full part in the arena of space.”
How important is an event like DPRTE 2023 for DE&S in terms of its ability to engage with the SMEs and the supply chain?
“Events such as this help to foster those working relationships that are essential for our mutual success.
“It’s really important to engage on a personal level to illustrate and explain the opportunities Defence can provide and learn about what industry has to offer.
“SMEs provide a vital role in the supply chain in delivering defence capability, especially so through innovative, exciting new technologies.
“We need to harness those and quickly get capability into service, to ensure we keep one step ahead of our adversaries and give the edge our Armed Forces need to protect our nation.”
What messages are you keen to get out to the defence supply chain?
“My key message is that we are all part of one Defence team – the work of the defence supply chain is crucial to the success of UK Defence.
“Beyond that I want to see a supply chain that is agile, responsive and harnesses the talent and innovation of its people, working together with Defence to deliver for the Armed Forces.”
What are DE&S’ ambitions for the year ahead?
“Our number one priority is to continue our resolute support to the people of Ukraine, to assist in their struggle against the Russian invasion.
“Secondly, to continue to deliver for the Armed Forces today, whether that’s through the introduction of new capabilities, supporting in-service equipment or the many global operations on which UK Defence is engaged to deter aggression, foster stability and protect our nation and it’s interests.
“Finally, to launch and begin to implement and embed our refreshed strategy, to ensure that we are optimised as an organisation to work together with industry to deliver for the Armed Forces tomorrow.”
What are you most looking forward to during DPRTE 2023?
“First and foremost it’s an opportunity to meet with colleagues and suppliers – to see how we can work better together for Defence.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what the supply chain can has to offer – what is the next big idea or new technology that we can exploit to maintain our edge?”
Registration is open for DPRTE 2023, taking place at Farnborough International on 29 March 2023.
Private Sector tickets cost £145+ VAT. Ticket includes access to all DPRTE event features and a catering package.
If you would like to join our community and read more articles like this then please click here
