With many SMEs now looking to supply into the defence sector, there’s a growing demand for guidance on how to enter and gain traction in the defence supply chain.
Make UK Defence has stepped up to this challenge, through initiatives such as Fit for Defence, a bespoke business improvement programme for organisations of all sizes and experience in the sector. Through the programme, Make UK Defence’s specialists and partners, including Horizon Works, assess an organisation’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a bespoke action plan to maximise its future growth.
To date, we’ve delivered more than 30 free marketing healthchecks for Make UK Defence members – and helped SMEs shape their marketing strategies and tactics for the sector.
This month, Fit for Defence went ‘live’, with an extensive programme of speakers and panel sessions touching down at NCC, a world leading research centre located on Bristol & Bath Science Park.
The sold-out event saw more than 100 Make UK Defence members make their way to NCC’s site – and gain advice on taking their first steps in the sector.
And Horizon Works’ Business Development and Marketing Manager, Richard Holmes, was one of the guests on the ‘Marketing 101’ panel, along with Charline Diomande, Marketing & Events Lead at Make UK Defence and Helena Holden, Operations Director at Canny Comms.
In the panel, which was hosted by Make UK Defence UK Membership and Growth Director James Watson, Richard, Charline and Helena drew on their marketing expertise to address:
- Common challenges in defence marketing – and how it differs from other industries
- Shaping messaging for the defence sector and developing a compelling proposition
- Leveraging technology, including animation, VR and AR to demonstrate products and processes
- The use of photography (and some important do’s and don’ts)
Experts at the Fit for Defence 101 event helped delegates navigate the defence supply chain and highlight the support available.
The speakers included:
- James Neely, Strategic Partnerships Director of the NCC, who spoke on the work of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult in supporting the defence sector, and outlined the NCC’s own world-class capabilities.
- James Neely, James Watson and Steve Hill, Associate at Make UK Defence, who discussed the Make UK Defence and High Value Manufacturing Catapult’s burgeoning partnership, focused on ‘supply chain transformation for resilience, operational excellence and national growth’.
- Chris Loach, Area Director for Bristol and Somerset at Lloyds Banking Group, who shared information on access to finance and Lloyds’s support for SMEs in the defence sector.
- Andy Davis, Business Development Principal – Support Engineering, from CDS Defence & Security, who stressed the importance of cyber security in the defence supply chain.
- Jack Brinicombe, Localisation and Supplier Training Lead at Boeing Defence and Louise Purcell, Head of Supply Chain at General Dynamics Land Systems who gave an insight into their procurement processes and relationships with UK SMEs.
- Daniel Weil, Managing Director of TIQC, who explored the UK defence procurement ecosystem.
- Tom Williams, consultant with Day 1 People, who presented on the company’s expertise in project management and risk mitigation.
James Watson commented: “Fit for Defence 101 was a brilliant event focusing on practical actions that SMEs can take to maximise success in the defence market.
“As well as key contributions from our strategic partners, Boeing Defence and General Dynamics, a particular highlight of the event was the Marketing 101 panel that we ran with Fit for Defence partners Canny Comms and Horizon Works. They participated in an engaging discussion on how marketing can best be deployed in defence.”
Samantha Vassallo, Managing Director of Horizon Works, commented: “As a long-standing Fit for Defence partner, we were proud to contribute to Fit for Defence 101 and would like to thank James, Charline and the rest of the Make UK Defence team for running an excellent event in Bristol.
“Entering the defence supply chain can be daunting, but thanks to the Fit for Defence programme and events such as this, SMEs can access invaluable support and guidance. We look forward to working with more SMEs through the programme as the year progresses.”
Horizon Works recently worked with Make UK Defence, in partnership with Lloyds, on the production of A Practical Guide To Working In Defence. The document tackles the challenges businesses face when entering the sector and offers a joined-up perspective on how to launch a journey in defence and scale up in the sector. You can download it here.
Need support in diversifying into defence? You can read more about our capabilities and the Fit for Defence programme here.