Victoria is an experienced senior leader, with a multidisciplinary background and track record of achievement. Focused on strategic commercial leadership and effective relationship management to deliver tangible results for businesses and individuals alike. Victoria has over 15 years’ experience in the Aerospace and Defence sector and has worked within corporate procurement, finance, sales, commercial, programme management and investor relations functions within FTSE100/250 organisations including BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Airbus and Unilever. Victoria’s achievements were recognised by The Times & Sunday Times in 2019 as winner of We Are the City Top 100 Women Rising Star 2019 – Defence. Victoria was also awarded the Marshall of Cambridge Medal by the Duke of Edinburgh in 2012 for contribution to the aerospace industry. Victoria is a chartered Aeronautical Engineer by background and holds an Executive MBA from Henley Business School. Victoria is a Non-Executive Council Member of The Air League Trust and trustee of the Inspiring Leadership Trust and plays competitive badminton in her spare time.

Phil Blunden has recently become the [temporary] Assistant Head of Cyber Supply Chain Security. He has been in the team for five years as the Engagement Manager. Over the last 2 years he has been running the “interim process”, a short temporary solution to the online tool. Overall he has worked in Defence for over 20 years, including information security and being an application developer.

Ewan Sime is Procurement & Supply Chain Director for Babcock International Group, responsible for the Land sector. A passionate procurement leader with over 19 years’ experience of global procurement and supply chain operations across a number of sectors, with extended exposure to the Defence industry. Having lead a number of successful functional transformations, Ewan has developed a desire to drive change and innovation at all levels within the supply chain. As we move forward in an ever adapting world with a number of high profile challenges, Ewan is excited to maximise the use of digitisation and technology across the global supply chain to drive effective and sustainable supply chain solutions in support of our partners and environment.

Jon is Programme Director of Material Availability Services, an innovative engineering & manufacturing team within the Land Sector of Babcock International Group, focussed on enhancing Babcock’s ability to deliver world class Through Life Equipment Support. Jon has worked in the design, manufacture, maintenance, repair and overhaul of military equipment for 25 years, spanning Land, Sea & Air domains. Jon has enjoyed working at all phases of product & service lifecycle, and is now focussed on increasing asset availability through evolution of the support model for legacy & low volume equipment. Jon is also the Defence industry co-chair for the additive manufacturing accelerator programme in UK.

Steve graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a 1st Class degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering in 1986 and joined GEC Marconi in Basildon, Essex. During his time with GEC, he progressed through a number of engineering roles before focusing on Project Management, completing a Masters degree in Engineering Project Management at Lancaster University. In 2000, Steve joined Racal in Wells, Somerset, to lead a transformation of their project delivery, heading up all project activity on site. Following the acquisition of Racal by Thales he was appointed to his first executive position in 2002 as MD of the Air Operations business and in 2006 he was appointed UK MD for the Air Systems Division. After a short period helping to start-up a Private Hospital, Steve joined Cohort plc to led SEA (one of its subsidiary companies). Over the next 10 years he led the growth of the business, acquiring and integrating a specialist maritime busines as well as disposing of non-core elements. During his time with SEA it grew both in volume and profit, becoming an international product business with customers across the world. In 2021, Steve stepped down as MD and is now focused on helping other businesses to develop and grow – as well as having more time for his family and pastimes.

Harriet Wollerton is the ADS Supply Chain Solutions Services Director. The Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) Framework is a single, simple access, cross sector programme, enabling suppliers to improve their competitive performance, highlight opportunities to invest in innovation and digitalization, as well as helping them make progress towards their sustainability goals and demonstrate advancement towards net zero. She began her career as a technical non-production purchaser at Lucas Aerospace Systems (now Collins Aerospace) and has more than 20 years’ experience of programme management, supply chain, supplier management, strategic sourcing, marketing and business development in the Aerospace industry. Harriet joined ADS at the beginning of January 2016 as Aerospace Operations & Business Development Manager, coordinating and leading ADS Aerospace industry business development activity, as well as supporting sector specific aerospace special interest groups.

Colin is Competitiveness Director at ADS, the national trade association for Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries, which represents over 1200 member companies. He is also a founder member of the CIPS’s Aerospace and Defence Procurement Group. Colin, an Aerospace and Defence Supply Chain procurement and CI professional, has spent over thirty years in the aerospace and defence sectors and has held in leadership roles at global Aerospace and Defence companies including Thales, Leonardo Helicopters, Eaton, AirTanker, Babcock, Meggitt, QinetiQ. He has extensive experience and track record in leadership, change management, negotiation, project and relationship management, and has successfully worked with customers, partners and major sub-contractors at all levels. Colin has experience of implementing both LEAN based improvements and embedding significant change programmes in both the defence and aerospace sectors supply chains proven to deliver reduced waste, costs and risk, whilst improving performance. In his current role as Competitiveness Programme Director at ADS Group, Colin is leading the SC21 community strengthen and develop the SC21 Competitiveness Programme, a cornerstone of the ADS Supply Chain Solutions Framework, to better accelerate the competitiveness of the Aerospace & Defence industry’s supply chain, prepare it for market growth and the needs of the increasingly sustainable digital 21st Century.

Mark Darvill is a Defence Industry Partner for the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). DASA finds and funds exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity. Its vision is for the UK to have strategic advantage through the most innovative defence and security capabilities in the world. DASA achieve this by welcoming ideas from innovators small and large, providing support to those who have not previously worked with Government. DASA is a cross-Government team from a wide range of backgrounds including defence, security, the private sector and academia. We are co-located with Dstl at Porton Down and Portsdown West. They also have a London Hub based at Imperial College, White City and 12 regionally based innovation partners, covering the length and breadth of the UK including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. By working locally, supporting and advising innovators of all shapes and sizes, DASA provide a critical link to pull through innovation to help the Ministry of Defence, Home Office, Department for Transport and other parts of Government keep the UK safe by staying ahead of the threats we face.

Simon Dakin joined the Ministry of Defence in 1992 after completing a degree in physics at Southampton University, followed by a Doctorate in nuclear physics at the Institute Laue Langevin in Grenoble, France. Simon’s first few appointments in MoD were in the Research Establishments at Farnborough and Malvern, developing software for the Special Weapons programme and helping to establish the Defence Research Agency. He was then seconded to the Department of National Heritage to develop policy for increasing investment in the UK Film Industry. Simon returned to MoD where he has over 25 years’ experience in a variety of acquisition roles, including policy, change leadership and delivery. Simon was leader of the Ground Based Air Defence Delivery Team from 2005, followed by promotion to the Senior Civil Service in 2007 to become Head of Project Management in MoD, working to improve professionalism across Defence. In 2010, Simon was lead author for the Science and Technology Chapter of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. For over four years from 2011, Simon led the DE&S team providing key capabilities for the UK Defence Intelligence community, followed by an assignment as the first Function Manager for Project Management in the Joint Enablers Domain, helping to develop and implement DE&S transformation. Appointed as DE&S 2* Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) in 2016, leading a large and diverse portfolio supporting all Front Line Commands. ISTAR OC was renamed Integrated Battlespace Operating Centre (IBOC) in 2020 to provide focus into driving integration, digitisation and innovation in the battlespace. Simon is a Chartered Physicist, Registered Project Professional, graduate of the Major Projects Leadership Academy and Fellow of the Association of Project Management. He is married to Fiona with three children and a border collie dog. Simon devotes his spare time to long distance running with his family.

The Ministry of Defence are one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe, and the single largest customer for UK industry. Over the next decade, they are committed to spending over £190Bn on equipment and support. The MOD has a diverse range of requirements, including everything from military fighting vehicles to education services, nuclear submarines to facilities management. Its customers include our Armed Forces and national security agencies. The MOD's aim is to ensure that our customers are provided with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and to advance the UK’s interests, both now and in the long term.

As Head of Procurement Reform, Ben is responsible for leading the MOD’s defence and security elements of the Cabinet Office led Procurement Bill. Working closely with the Cabinet Office, Ben leads a multi-functional team, bringing together commercial, legal and change delivery expertise ensuring the provisions within the Procurement Bill meet the requirements of Defence and that these provisions are fully scrutinised via the Parliamentary Process. An equal priority for Ben focuses on preparation for implementation of the new rules. Working alongside colleagues within the MOD and CO, but also with colleagues from industry, Ben recognises the success of the new rules is dependent on sufficient training, understand and preparation ahead of the go live date. Ben is a career civil servant, working in the MOD for the past three years programme managing the development of the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy before joining Defence Commercial. Prior to the MOD Ben spent 10 years in the Ministry of Justice working in a variety of fields, including policy, strategy, operations, Private Office and estates. Ben has a proven track record of working in high-profile and pressured environments, bringing his enthusiasm and positivity to those challenges and always delivering on time.

Ian Schollar is the Head of CIPS Business Study Centre at CIPS and has had a progressive career in procurement and commercial roles spanning over 30 years in both public and private sectors. He started his career with Mallory Batteries (Duracell) in 1983, before spending 15 years working within both central and local public sector organisations. He was responsible for procuring a diverse range of categories from breathing apparatus for fire fighters to high tech radar systems for air traffic controllers. In 1998, Ian became a Senior Advisor for Crown Agents, an International Development Agency. He was project lead on numerous capacity building projects working in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe and headed up the procurement and supply chain training at their Training Centre. Ian has worked at CIPS since 2005 and has a particular passion for professional development. Ian is a Fellow of CIPS and holds a Master’s Degree in Management, Learning and Leadership from Lancaster University Management School.

Sam Staincliffe is the co-founder and CTO of Uplift360 a deeptech company developing chemical technology to recycle advanced materials. She is a circular economy and advanced material specialist. Her background is in defence operations and material technology development first for the US Air Force and then with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). She has also held strategic level roles for the Red Cross working in disaster response and climate change technology development. Her previous start-up Ferox was developing biomaterials to replace nonrecyclable plastics in the toy industry. Sam is an advocate for female tech founders using her recent Women in Defence award to develop pathways for future entrepreneurs.

With 20 years in software and organizational development, Henri leads Eficode's Global Advisory Services, specializing in Agile, DevOps, and Portfolio Management transformations. His career includes leadership roles in operational management and product ownership, focusing on enhancing organizational efficiency and employee satisfaction. Henri has managed complex, multisite software projects and transformations, prioritizing quality and effective methodologies. As former CEO of Contribyte, he concentrated on building future-ready organizations and has played roles at Nokia and Accenture. A veteran speaker, Henri frequently shares his expertise in agile practices, change management, and innovative strategies, underpinned by his skills in executive coaching and software product management.

Dina has been Head of the Software and Hosting category in Defence Digital Commercial since 2019. She has driven delivery to key areas such as cyber, Crypt Key, Intelligence, software enterprise agreements, Cloud and hosting services and the Foundry team through a strong category focus. She joined the MOD from Worldpay, the UK’s largest payments processing company and has worked in procurement and supply chain roles within financial services throughout her career. Dina now leads the CommercialX programme alongside her Software and Hosting role. She is committed to simplifying the way MOD procures digital, innovation and technology products and services through the pan-MOD CommercialX function.

Lee Rimmer is the Commercial Director for MOD Defence Digital having joined in August 2018 from HCL where he was VP Procurement EMEA. Lee’s role includes direct responsibility for the Defence Digital spend as well as responsibility for the Defence wide digital commercial category. Director for Defence. Lee has overseen the transformation of the commercial function through the implementation of a category based structure, a focus on measurable benefits generation, improved supplier relationship management and the development of a partnering approach with the wider defence organisation. Lee has had a number of commercial leadership roles at HVL Technologies, Level 3 Communications, CSC and British Airways. He has a wide category experience with a focus on digital and services.

Lee started his career working for IBM in a variety of sales and delivery roles. He moved to the public sector in 2013 and worked to establish a Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) team across the Digital & Technology space at the Ministry of Justice. Lee has now established the SRM strategy at the DIO, which has been fundamental to driving DIO Commercial forwards in recent years. He would like the DIO to be a client of choice in industry, meaning an organisation which is easy for suppliers to do business with and create win/win strategies for the future. 

Victoria will reflect on the dual challenge and opportunity that climate change and energy transition bring to defence. Victoria leads on client engagement for electrification and sustainability from the Chief Technology Office at QinetiQ. Her passion for facilitating conversations between technical disciplines and practical challenges has led her to work in human factors, cyber security, energy and power and sustainability. She is a chartered Ergonomist and Accredited Coach.

Neil Jackson is a Senior Sustainable Procurement Manager for BAE Systems Plc. He is responsible for overseeing the Social Value aspects of Sustainability, including the development of the BAE Systems UK SME Action Plan. Neil has worked for BAE Systems for over 25 years and has extensive experience in Supply Chain and Business Management across both the Air and the Maritime Sectors. He has led the Supply Chain Sustainability activities within one of the largest Business Units and has a passion for delivering real business performance in this vital field. Neil really enjoys working with people and has a natural interest in learning and development. This stems from his previous Commissioned Officer roles as both a Flying and a Small Arms Instructor within the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch. He continues his affiliation with the Air Cadet Organisation through his current role as Chair of a local Air Cadet Squadron. Neil has a desire to build upon the BAE Systems UK SME action Plan through developing connections and improving ways in which SMEs can connect with relevant areas of the business. He is also committed to sharing our Sustainability journey through connecting with great Social Value opportunities such as the UK Armed Forces Covenant.

Matt is currently the Senior Manager for the Fixed Wing Supply Chain Management team within Boeing Defence UK. Matt has a four teams located across six main sites in the UK delivering Supply Chain capability (Asset Management, Supplier Management, Supply Chain Planning, and Warehousing/Distribution) to BDUK’s three main programmes for UK MoD – P-8A Poseidon, E-7 Wedgetail, and C-17 Globemaster. Matt has worked at Boeing for just over 10 years across a number of platforms. Matt was previously the Supplier Management & Procurement Manager for the P-8A Poseidon team where he led a team of Procurement Agents to deliver Aircraft Support, Training Support, Facilities Management and Infrastructure activities for the programme. Prior to this Matt was the Supply Chain Lead for UK P-8A and was a key part of bringing the UK P-8A into service. Matt was also previously a Procurement Agent working on the UK AH-64E sustainment/training campaign and spent a number of this earlier years working on the UK TLCS programme supporting CH-47 depth maintenance, as well as Major Modifications and Upgrades such as Project JULIUS and Digital Air Flight Control System (DAFCS). Matt is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), an active Boeing Leadership NeXt programme Alumni (Class of 2022), and an Emerging Talent in Europe Council (ETEC) Alumni (2018). Matt has a BA Hons in Business Studies (First Class) from the University of the West of England in Bristol and is currently self-studying Norwegian as a second language.

Simon joined the civil service as Head of the UAS & RPAS portfolio in December 2022, following a period in industry and a career in the British Army. He is an experienced portfolio director with a background in delivering Defence programmes and business transformation. He has operated at cross-government level and has led GMPP procurement programmes to deliver armoured vehicle, ISR and CEMA capabilities. Simon holds an MBA, MSc in Defence Technology, BEng in Communication and Electronic Systems and is a chartered engineer.

Paul studied engineering and materials science and initially worked in corporate R&D before moving into Venture Capital for a US company. After an MBA at Imperial College, he moved into senior executive roles with two global industrial companies involved in mechanical engineering and construction materials respectively. After four years working in Private Equity on re-structuring and performance enhancement, he started my own consultancy focusing on advisory services for fund raising and strategy in infrastructure projects and technology companies. Paul has substantial experience in change management, NPD, strategic global marketing of technologies and knowledge of a wide range of overseas markets and business cultures. He is also a research associate at the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, where he has collaborated on projects around risk and resilience in specific areas of materials and civil engineering.

Andrew Kinniburgh is Director-General of Make UK Defence, the Defence Trade Association belonging to Make UK – the Manufacturers’ Organisation. He joined Make UK in 2019 from the Cabinet Office where he was Wider Government Engagement Lead for the Government Commercial Organisation, following a 25 year career in the defence and security industry. He spent nearly 10 years with Serco Defence, followed by senior appointments with Smiths Detection and two Ministry of Defence trading funds and a 7 year spell as an independent consultant. He holds a BA in Business from Heriot-Watt University and an MSc in International Defence Marketing from Cranfield University / UK Defence Academy. Andrew has been involved with Defence Ministries and businesses in the Defence and Security sectors across most European countries and in North America, as well as the UK. Make UK Defence represents over 300 UK Defence Suppliers ranging from SMEs and mid tiers, to major Primes and is the lead Trade Association for the MOD’s Defence Suppliers Forum SME Working Group.

Professor Taylor joined RUSI from Cranfield University where he was head of the Department of Defence Management and Security Analysis and subsequently head of the Centre for Defence Management and Leadership. Professor Taylor previously served as Chairmain of the British International Studies Association and head of the International Security Programme at Chatham House.

John has worked for the Ministry of Defence since 1989, primarily in policy and secretariat roles, working on a number of high-profile policy reviews including terms and conditions for Ghurkhas, service children’s education and official entertainment. He has been involved in a variety Strategic Supplier Management roles since 2012, managing relationships with some of the largest defence contractors. John is currently responsible for managing the Defence Suppliers’ Forum, which is the UK MOD’s strategic engagement with the defence industry.

I have a career leading financial, commercial and transformational change across large blue chip organisations, and I am now privileged to be the CEO at Ploughshare. My experience covers the airline, utilities and telecoms industries. In the last 10 years of my private sector career, I brought my expertise and collaborative leadership skills into the telecommunications industry, being responsible for delivering the commercial model for Openreach on its establishment, and the transformation of the Vodafone UK Enterprise business, which works with many of the large UK businesses including public sector such as MOD. I joined Ploughshare as CEO in 2020, and under my leadership Ploughshare’s impact and presence across the public sector has been elevated as the focus on innovation has increased. Ploughshare was relaunched in September 2021, and is now focused on maximising the impact for society as a whole from government owned intellectual property. My commitment to being a leader of hope has driven our focus on creating an organisation which is diverse and inclusive and delivers real impact to society.

Lucy is a data scientist with 3+ years’ experience. Worked in the defence sector for nearly 2 years, delivering benefits to the Ministry of Defence through DES Digital's ambitious AI roadmap. Worked on multiple AI projects including part failure analysis, image classification and maintenance optimisation/anticipation.

Andrew has 40 years’ experience within the infrastructure sector in the UK and overseas. As both a project manager and an executive officer, he has been responsible for the delivery of many of the country’s major projects including High Speed One, London 2012 Olympics and Heathrow Terminal 5. He has held project management and executive positions at Systra, Kier Group and Balfour Beatty. After joining AWE as a Non-Executive Director in 2021, Andrew accepted the position of Executive Director, Capital Programme in early 2023. He is responsible for the delivery of the company’s infrastructure investment programme, which will support the manufacture of the next generation of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Andrew is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has served as a Vice President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and was previously named Civil Engineering Manager of the Year by the Institution. In 2020, Andrew led a study on behalf of the ICE into the performance of infrastructure project delivery that led to a report, “Defining a Systems Approach to Infrastructure Delivery”, which was welcomed across the sector. In December 2021, Andrew was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Sheffield Forgemasters Ltd, with specific responsibility for the investments in new infrastructure and equipment by MoD to support future at sea capability. In June 2022, Andrew was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership, the University of Sydney, Australia.