Ministry of Defence announces new support for SMEs

Alongside new direct SME spending targets to be set by June, the hub will ‘provide guidance to small businesses on accessing the defence supply chain, unlocking new jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets’.

Such a hub aligns with the recommendations of techUK’s Strategic Defence Review submission, to create a single point of entry into Defence for smaller companies.

The news follows the Government’s announcement last week to increase defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, rising to 3 percent by the next parliament.

On the announcement, the Ministry of Defence stated ‘this is a chance for small, often family-owned, firms to bring their innovations, their agility and their expert workforce to the task of strengthening Britain’s defences. It will help create new jobs, boosting the economy of small towns and suburbs in the UK’.

‘As the leading Defence technology trade association in the UK, techUK warmly welcomes today’s announcement to introduce new SME spending targets for Defence by June. Following last week’s timely decision to increasing Defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, it is crucially important that this extra investment benefits UK SMEs operating in the Defence sector. techUK’s SME members are at the very forefront of cutting-edge technology development, and we strongly believe opening the Defence market to smaller companies and non-traditional suppliers to partner with current suppliers will greatly enhance the effectiveness of our military capabilities. We are also delighted to see the announcement of a new SME Hub to provide guidance to small businesses on accessing defence supply chain opportunities. techUK has long called for a single front door for SMEs looking to access opportunities in the Defence sector, and this new support hub will benefit SMEs operating across the UK’s nations and regions’.

For information on the work of techUK's defence programme, please email the Programme Manager, Jeremy Wimble.

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The Defence programme works to help the UK’s defence technology sector align itself with the MOD. techUK members are able to navigate and better understand the UK Defence sector to successfully align their own investment and resources to take advantage of business opportunities. Visit the programme page here.

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Meet the team

Fred Sugden

Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK

Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.

Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.

Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: 07985 234 170

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Jeremy Wimble

Programme Manager, Defence, techUK

Jeremy manages techUK's defence programme, helping the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence - including Defence Digital, DE&S, innovation units and Frontline Commands - through a broad range of activities including private briefings and early market engagement events. It also supports the MOD as it procures new digital technologies.

Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) coordinating research and impact activities for funders including the FCDO and US Department of Defense, as well as business development and strategy.

Jeremy has a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a BA (Hons) in Politics & Social Policy from Swansea University.

Email:: [email protected]

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Tracy Modha

Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.

Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!

Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: 02073312000
Website:: www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83

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Ministry of Defence announces new support for SMEs

Jeremy Wimble