Business leaders from across the Midlands have been appointed to a new Defence and Security Industry Council, aimed at driving growth and investment in the region’s vital defence sector. This initiative, supported by regional Mayors, seeks to leverage increased national security spending to create high-quality jobs and enhance the Midlands’ position as a key player in the UK’s defence landscape.
Key Takeaways
- A new Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council has been established, comprising 16 senior defence industry leaders.
- The council’s primary objectives are to attract investment, create well-paid jobs, and champion the region’s defence and security capabilities.
- The initiative aligns with the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy and the ‘Defence and Security Blueprint for the Midlands’.
- The council will work alongside existing and upcoming Regional Defence and Security Clusters.
Driving Growth and Investment
Midlands Mayors Richard Parker and Claire Ward have appointed 16 senior defence industry leaders to the newly formed Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council. This council is tasked with supporting the sector’s growth in the region, particularly as the government prepares to increase national security spending. The members, representing some of the region’s largest employers and several SMEs, will collectively advocate for the Midlands defence and security industries, highlighting their strengths and potential to attract new investment.
Inaugural Meeting and Leadership
The council members will convene for their first meeting later this month, chaired by Chris Spicer, Managing Director of Engineering & Systems Integration at Babcock International. Spicer, who brings over 15 years of experience in the global defence industry, expressed his enthusiasm for the role. He highlighted Babcock’s long-standing relationship with the Midlands and its commitment to creating employment opportunities and driving growth, noting the vital role of their skilled workforce in Walsall in delivering capabilities essential for UK national security.
Regional Collaboration and Economic Impact
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, emphasised the region’s significant presence in the defence sector, with 25,000 people already employed in related fields. He stated the council’s clear objective is to champion the industrial and innovative strengths of the Midlands to maximise economic opportunities arising from increased government spending. This initiative is expected to lead to more jobs, higher wages, and stronger businesses, future-proofing the regional economy.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of a unified Midlands approach. She noted that supply chains extend beyond administrative boundaries and that this partnership will foster stronger, inclusive growth. The council aims to ensure that the benefits of increased defence investment are shared by both global businesses and SMEs, translating into well-paid jobs and new opportunities for graduates and apprentices.
The Defence and Security Blueprint
The establishment of the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council is a key component of the ‘Defence and Security Blueprint for the Midlands’. This blueprint is designed to solidify the region’s central role in the UK’s defence efforts. The defence sector is already a significant contributor to the Midlands economy, with approximately 1,000 companies employing 50,000 people across the region. The blueprint also outlines the need for worker upskilling, new career pathways, and targeted support for SMEs to secure government contracts and enter defence-related supply chains. Innovative businesses developing advanced technologies for modern battlefields will also receive backing.
The council will operate in conjunction with the three Regional Defence and Security Clusters (RDSCs) across the Midlands, including the upcoming West Midlands RDSC and the already established RDSCs in the East Midlands and Lincolnshire.
Council Members
The appointed members of the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council include:
- Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
- Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands (Political Co-Chair)
- Chris Spicer, Babcock (Industry Co-Chair)
- Chris Walker, QinetiQ
- Emma Maltby, Rolls Royce
- Ian de Souza, Ricardo
- Julian Free CBE, Lincolnshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster
- Lee Purslow, Unite the Union
- Mark Dumville, GMV
- Matthew Badhams, Safran
- Nicola Melia, ESCO Maritime Solutions
- Rachel Connor, GE Vernova
- Roisin Hopkins, HORIBA MIRA
- Rory Breen, Rheinmetall UK
- Simon Ward, Accrofab
- Stephen Kines, Goldilock
- Tim Richmond, East Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster
- West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster (representative to be confirmed)
Sources
- Business leaders appointed to new Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council, West Midlands Combined Authority.
