04 Dec 2024

Voting Open: techUK Defence Board & Programme Forums

Voting is now open for the 25 seats on techUK’s Defence Board for the 2025-2027 period. Voting is also open for the Chair and Vice Chair positions on the Defence Programme Forums.

Voting for the Defence Board and Programme Forum positions will close at 17:00 on Friday 03 January 2025.

Read on below for everything you need to know about the voting process, and to view the nominated candidates.  

Voting information 

  • Voting eligibilityOne voting representative from one techUK member company is permitted to cast up to 25 votes on behalf of their company.  
  • 5 seats on the Defence Board are ring-fenced for SMEs.
  • If multiple individuals from the same company submit votes, only those of the most senior employee will be counted.
  • Votes cast by non-techUK members are invalid and will not be counted.
  • The voting representative may vote for themselves or the nominee from their own techUK member company.

View the Defence Board SME candidates here.

View the Defence Board large company candidates here.

View the Defence Commercial Business Forum Chair and Vice Chair candidates here.

View the Defence Research & Technology Forum Chair and Vice Chair candidates here.

View the Defence SME Forum Chair and Vice Chair candidates here.

View the Information Superiority Forum Chair and Vice Chair candidates here.

Key upcoming dates: 2024’s techUK Defence Board and Programme Forum elections 

  • Friday 03 January 2025: Voting closes COP 1700hrs. 
  • (Week Commencing) 13 January 2025: Results of Board and Programme Forum elections announced. 

N.B. Once the Defence Board is formed, elections for the Chair and two Vice-Chair positions will take place [only elected Board members will be eligible to vote].

For a reminder of the role of techUK’s Defence Board and Board member responsibilities (including Terms of Reference and techUK’s Code of Practice), find everything you need to know about the Board on this page.  

If you have any questions about the elections or the Defence Board or Programme Forums, please contact one of the techUK Defence team:

Fred Sugden

Fred Sugden

Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK

Raya Tsolova

Senior Programme Manager, techUK

Jeremy Wimble

Jeremy Wimble

Programme Manager, Defence, techUK

Tracy Modha

Tracy Modha

Team Assistant - Markets, techUK


Defence Programme activities

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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techUK members can get involved in our work by joining our groups, and stay up to date with the latest meetings and opportunities in the programme.

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Meet the team  

Fred Sugden

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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Raya Tsolova

Senior Programme Manager, techUK

Raya Tsolova is a Programme Manager at techUK. 

Prior to joining techUK, Raya worked in Business Development for an expert network firm within the institutional investment space. Before this Raya spent a year in industry working for a tech start-up in London as part of their Growth team which included the formation and development of a 'Let's Talk Tech' podcast and involvement in London Tech Week. 

Raya has a degree in Politics and International Relations (Bsc Hons) from the University of Bath where she focused primarily on national security and counter-terrorism policies, centreing research on female-led terrorism and specific approaches to justice there. 

Outside of work, Raya's interests include baking, spin classes and true-crime Netflix shows! 

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07712630603

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Jeremy Wimble

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

Tracy Modha

Team Assistant - Markets, techUK

Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, 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
Twitter:
@TracyModha,@TracyModha
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83,https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83

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