Horizon Works supports manufacturers through Make UK Defence Competitive Advantage Programme

Horizon Works is part of a new programme that is helping manufacturers to thrive in the defence sector.

The Competitive Advantage Programme (CAP) has been developed by Make UK Defence to identify manufacturers’ challenges and opportunities, and connect them with experts.

The programme is aimed at manufacturers who wish to improve processes and corporate governance, build profile, take products and services to market, and strengthen their ability to win work from the Ministry of Defence, defence primes and other organisations across the supply chain.

Through the CAP, Make UK Defence members can access expertise from a range of expert providers from across the UK.

Partners in the programme include experts in strategy, equality and diversity, productivity, social values, operations, cyber security, procurement, HR, law, marketing, bid writing, health and safety, market research and corporate governance.

The programme has been designed to help manufacturers navigate through an often complex sector and provides support to companies at all stages of their development.

Make UK Defence is a national not-for-profit, member owned defence trade association, and is part of Make UK – the manufacturers’ organisation. It champions and supports the UK’s defence manufacturers and the wider defence supply chain.

All Make UK Defence members are invited to take part in the programme, which begins with a free business assessment and can include a comprehensive business health check. Members are then signposted to bespoke support from CAP partners and/or members of the Make UK Defence team.

Steve Hill of Make UK Defence, said: “One of the biggest challenges growing companies have is finding the time to ‘work on’ their business.

“We help them to take time out to identify the strengths and weaknesses in their business and to identify the actions they should take to address these.

“Critically, we also help them to find the experts they need to deliver the changes they need.”

Samantha Vassallo, managing director of Horizon Works, said: “The CAP is a highly effective way of helping manufacturers to access specialist capabilities and we’re delighted that Horizon Works is part of the programme.

“We’re looking forward to using our marketing expertise to support businesses across the UK through the CAP. It’s great to be working alongside our friends at Make UK Defence and the other CAP partners on an initiative that is sure to make a huge difference to the manufacturing sector.”

Other CAP partners include: Assured Cyber Protection; BidCraft; Canny Comms; e50K; Inspired Energy, Liberata, MRL Public Sector Consultants, PATH2; Proelium Law LLP; and Xel Training.

For more information on the Make UK Defence Competitive Advantage Programme and how to take part, visit https://www.makeuk.org/about/make-uk-defence