Keynote Arena - Day 2
27 March 2025

10.00 - 10.10
Welcome from the Chair
Speakers
Libby Valance-Bull

AI and Technical Strategy Advisor

Women Empowering Defence

10.10 - 10.30
Building Supply Chains to Support Economic Growth and our Warfighting Edge
Speakers
Julie Brettell

Supply Chain Director

Ministry of Defence

Maj Gen Phil Prosser CBE CEng FIMechE

Director Joint Support, Defence Support

UK Strategic Command

10.30 - 10.50
Supporting and Harnessing SMEs for National Security and Growth
Speakers
Harrison Talbot-Brown

Deputy Director for Industry Collaboration and Strategic Supplier Management

Ministry of Defence

10.50 - 11.10
Connecting Industry and Infrastructure: Insights into the DIO Commercial Strategy
Speakers
Claire Benham

Commercial Director

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)

11.10 - 12.00
Make UK Defence Panel: The Rise of the Mid-Tiers
Speakers
Andrew Kinniburgh

Director General

Make UK Defence

Tony Golland

Market Head for Defence and Aerospace

Ricardo

Richard Flitton

Managing Director

Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd (SEA Ltd)

Nicolas Clark-Majerus

Vice President, Director of UK Corporate Affairs

SAAB

Llyr Jones

Group Strategy and Corporate Development Director

Chemring

12.30 - 12.50
AUKUS: Defence Procurement Collaboration
Speakers
Samira Braund, Defence Director, ADS

Defence Director

ADS

12.50 - 13.20
Supplier Co-Design: the Challenges and Opportunities
Speakers
Dharvinder Johal

Market Partner

Capita Procurement Solutions

Hannah Boreham

Associate Commercial Head – Artificial Intelligence

Defence Digital Commercial

Nick Barras

Head of Professional Service and Contract Management

Defence Digital

Isobel Baylis

Account Executive - National Security and Public Safety

AWS Professional Services

13.20 - 13.40
UK Defence Supply Chain's Support for Ukraine
Speakers
Tom McDonald

Director

National Audit Office

13.40 - 14.00
Accelerating Commercial Pathways – Driving Pace and Adaptability in Defence Procurements
Speakers
Andrew Butler

MOD Accelerating Commercial Pathways Co-Ordinator

PA Consulting

Helen Bates

Commercial Director

Defence Equipment & Support