With the recent turn of the New Year, the countdown to Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) 2016 is officially on. The exhibition, which takes place on 16 March at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, aims to provide attendees with a unique opportunity to showcase innovative products and solutions, acquire bespoke defence procurement advice and network with both existing and potential new business contacts.
One of DPRTE’s main attractions will undoubtedly be the Keynote Arena, which will host a range of the leading and most influential speakers from across the defence procurement and supply chain marketplace. Delegates will have a unique opportunity to hear directly from those who are actively engaged in both setting and delivering the direction of the UK’s defence procurement strategy.
The Keynote Arena will be chaired by Les Mosco, Chief Executive at Commercial Strategies Ltd. Mr Mosco has an impressive employment history, having previously led the commercial function at the Ministry of Defence as well as the Scottish Office, Network Rail, Amerada Hess Oil & Gas and NatWest Bank, among others. He currently offers his expertise to organisations including the Bank of England, the National Audit Office, Transport for Greater Manchester and BiP Solutions, event organisers of DPRTE and publishers of MOD DCB.
Appointed Minister of State for Defence Procurement in 2015, Philip Dunne MP will be attending DPRTE 2016 to present the opening address to the Keynote Arena. In previous years, this has been a well-attended and important presentation which visitors are advised not to miss. Mr Dunne’s presentation will be an opportunity for DPRTE attendees to hear more about the extra £12 billion that is being invested in defence equipment and support over the next decade, as announced in last autumn’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
Susanna Mason, Director General Industry Relationships at DE&S, has been a regular contributor to the Keynote Arena in previous years at DPRTE and will continue to do so in March. Ms Mason has been involved in the defence procurement and supply chain industry for many years, including advising on the negotiations and commercial structure of the availability support services contract for the UK Tornado fleet as part of her role in Defence Strategy Solutions. Ms Mason also has a range of wider expertise including economic and business modelling, major systems design and implementations, MOD/industry liaison and procurement and acquisition strategy.
Other contributors to the Keynote Arena include Mike Stone, Chief Digital and Information Officer at MOD ISS and Paul Clarke, CEO of Xenubis Ltd. Mr Stone’s remit covers all communications and information systems/services used by the UK Armed Forces globally, whether in the field or in the corporate space, while Mr Clarke’s company delivers innovative cyber intelligence and security solutions to a variety of high-end clients across multiple industries. With the recent announcement of increased funding from the MOD towards cyber security projects, both of the above speakers should provide invaluable insight into the future of cyber security and IT solutions within the MOD and broader defence industry.
The Keynote Arena at DPRTE 2016 will also provide a live debate giving visitors the chance to ask questions or seek advice from an open panel of defence industry experts.
To find out more about DPRTE and book your space click here.