So how to summarise an intensely full and engaging day of content at yesterday’s Financing Defence event.
Let’s start with the easy bit, a huge thank you to our superb co-hosts Mishcon de Reya LLP and ADS Group Ltd and in particular to Adam Doyle and Maya Moulsdale, firstly for the event’s conception and then for its immaculate execution. It was a full house and the day was packed with impactful and thoughtful content - a brilliant event.
Also thank you to our superb panel who tackled the intricate topic of Mobilising Capital into Defence and CNI (Critical National Infrastructure) so brilliantly, thank you to Rob Trezona, Robert Harper, Rebecca Harding, Nicola McConville, and Tim Ellis.
Given the complexities of the topic, it’s difficult to do the subject justice in a brief post, however, a summary of some key discussion points below:-
The Times They Are A Changing (in the words of Bob Dylan), the shifts in allegiances we’re seeing today aren’t short-term blips, we need to prepare and be ready for Winter.
Defence needs a rebrand – too many financial institutions fall back on outdated policies, reputational concern, and back off funding Defence and CNI.
However, there are strong signs of this changing, as acknowledged that our security needs to be preserved and this isn't a given without investment in defence.
Defence is no longer just boots on the ground, logistics, air, sea, and land – we’re seeing home turf attacks on infrastructure (grey zone warfare).
Economic warfare has been mobilised to challenge old alliances, and the US is using its economic might to disrupt supply chains.
There is a real sense of urgency in government – but how do we harness this to help young innovative businesses that need to commercialise quicker.
There’s a requirement for longer-term Defence objectives from government, so financiers can get comfortable to back areas of Defence on a strategic roadmap.
Difficult sector to back, too opaque therefore perceived as high risk.
Point made – look to Asia, who are better at getting behind real innovations as there’s no public perception barrier.
If we don’t back innovation, it will go out of the country.
While Government wants to help SMEs, it needs to loosen some of the requirements and specifications around access to funding – they’re too specialised and restrictive for SMEs.
Big choices on standardisation and interoperability are needed (how the UK aligns itself – Europe leaning, US leaning, or straddle both).
And this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of content, a huge thank you once again to everyone who came along and participated, we're looking forward to continuing the conversation!
Recent Articles
No recent articles found.
