The event was attended by over 19,00 people – a record for DPRTE 23 – and provided a unique opportunity to showcase goods and services as well as the chance to engage directly with both the key personnel and organisations responsible for setting strategy and operationally delivering an annual budget of over £20 billion.
Unsurprisingly, it was standing room only at the Keynote Arena as Shalli Shapcott, Maritime Campaign Director at Serco and Signatory Lead for Women in Defence, introduced the event and line up of speakers.
The opening keynote address was delivered by Andrew Forzani, Director General Commercial, UK MOD. Mr Forzani highlighted the importance of the DPRTE event, citing its focus on SMEs within the defence supply chain.
He took the opportunity to discuss the recently released Integrated Review refresh, which he said was very much a “response to the invasion of Ukraine and the ramping up of global tensions”.
He praised the defence supply chain as it had not been able to anticipate a European war but had stepped up to a face a huge challenge.
Moving onto the relationship between the MOD and the defence supply chain, Mr Forzani accepted that the initial SME Action Plan hadn’t been that well received but through greater collaboration, is now a much more respected strategy.
The MOD target that 25% of procurement spend will go directly and indirectly to SMEs remains in place and has a long-standing target to improve access for SMEs to Defence opportunities .
Improving the relationship between suppliers and Primes contractors remains a critical aspect.
Each Prime now has a senior SME champion to properly address SME concerns and are also now involved in the SME Working Group and across workstreams.
Following the opening keynote address was Andy Start, CEO at DE&S, who reinforced the message of how well the defence supply chain had responded in face of the war in Ukraine and had a vital role to play in dealing with the current global threats.
He said: “The defence industry’s response to the war in Ukraine has been phenomenal. The industry has really stepped up and responded at pace.
“The challenge in the world is significant but the chance to make a difference is greater than ever.”
Next up was Christine Maxwell, Director Cyber at the MOD, who stressed the importance of the UK not lowering its guard against a cyber attack, given the skills and capabilities of Russia and other hostile actors.
Lee Smith, Capability and Planning Lead at Dstl Commercial, discussed the management benefits of Science and Technology and Research & Development category management.
Lee Rimmer, Commercial Director of Defence Digital, continued with the theme of category management. He highlighted the importance of the one defence mindset that sits at the heart of Defence Digital and reminded those in attendance that category management is not in itself a destination but a journey.
The Keynote sessions were brought to a close by a debate that focused on the challenge of how SMEs can get innovative ideas in front of Primes, featuring insights from representatives of DASA, Raytheon and BAE Systems.
The event’s Themes & Knowledge Transfer Zones provided insight across several key topics facing the defence supply chain.
The Supply Chain Engagement Zone was again a huge draw for attendees at DPRTE as attendees heard presentations from Joe Lambon, Strategic Supplier Management at the MOD, delivered a session on how supplying to defence.
He was followed by some of the MOD’s main prime contractor partners, such as Airbus, GE Aviation, Thales, Boeing and QinetiQ who spoke on current and future projects and provided advice on how to work with these organisations.
One of the main challenges facing the defence supply chain – the climate emergency – was covered by Hannah Cowley from QinetiQ, the impact on suppliers when bidding on prospective work.
The Market Development Zone contained invaluable sessions on winning and understanding contracts from featuring Make UK Defence and Defence Contracts International, while Garry Coe, Head of Air Commercial, outlined the role of a frontline command procurement team.
The Infrastructure & Estates Zone took a deep dive into defence estate, with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) hosting a number of sessions designed to help suppliers unlock the opportunity to gain access to the £3 billion annual spend on construction and infrastructure services managed by DIO on behalf of the MOD.
Sessions from Elise Carre Bishop, Head of Procurement Reform and Processes at the MOD and Phil Kinnell, Senior Consultant at PASS, provided an opportunity to get up to speed on the major changes coming via procurement reform from a defence specific perspective at the Procurement Reform Skills zone.
The recent Integrated Review refresh doubled down on the importance of science and technology to the MOD’s long-term strategy so the Space, Science and Innovation Zone was the place to hear how innovative companies can engage with the defence marketplace.
Sessions included speakers from the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) highlighting their role in supporting and funding innovation in Defence.
John Young, Head of Strategic Campaigns, Space, BAE Systems, spoke on the need for bravery in innovation and cultivating the mentality to be prepared to fail in the search. He said technological advancement should be sought just for the sake of it but should consider the end user.
Of course, no DPRTE event would be complete without its exhibitors.
For buyers across the MOD and the wider supply chain, the exhibition floor provided 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.
This year was no exception. Exhibitors included the likes of Guidant Global; Algeco; Costain; AECOM; FlamePro; LCM Environmental; BDP Zenith Ltd; and Tetra Tech to name but a few.
The sheer range of products and services from all the exhibitors really highlighted just how the defence marketplace represents such a significant opportunity for all types of companies.
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