In partnership with Green Park, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC) has hosted its first Defence & Security Leadership Breakfast, to explore the strategic opportunities and challenges facing the UK’s defence and security ecosystem in the region and beyond.
Attended by Tan Dhesi MP for Slough and Chair of the Commons Defence Committee, and endorsed by Will Stone, MP for Swindon North, leaders from the defence community discussed sector priorities including skills and talent shortages, workforce development, and the need for greater collaboration across supply chains, SMEs, academia and government.
The initial meeting of this business-led initiative serves as a launch pad for a proposed Thames Valley Defence & Security Working Group with the specific aim to:
- Discuss key sector issues, opportunities and challenges
- Share insights and foster collaboration across the ecosystem
- Identify procurement and supply chain opportunities
- Support talent development and skills pipelines
- Strengthen the Thames Valley’s contribution to UK and allied defence capability
David Saab, Business Alliance Manager, TVCC said “Today’s discussion at Green Park underlined both the opportunities and the challenges ahead for the region. By bringing together business leaders, government, and academia, we are taking an important step towards deeper collaboration, supporting skills development, and ensuring the region continues to play a pivotal role in the UK’s defence capability.”
A Green Park spokesperson said “We look forward to continuing this important collaboration, and to champion the world-class defence and security ecosystem in the Thames Valley”.
