Steven Windmill TD MBA

John Nicholson, Principal Digital Strategy Consultant at AtkinsRéalis, argues that the UK’s defence industry must embed a culture of “psychological safety” if it is to succeed with digital transformation. Read this blog, "Using psychological safety to accelerate digital innovation in defence" as part of our Defence Campaign Week 2024 👉 https://orlo.uk/kEjhG #techUKDefence #Defence Jeremy Wimble | Tracy Modha ____________ Visit our #DefTechWeek Hub: https://orlo.uk/tDOVr ___________ 🛡️ #techUKDefence DefTech: Technology Transforming Defence report is now live! The report, launched as part of techUK’s 2024 Defence Campaign Week, looks at how technology is shaping defence across all domains including the use of Artificial Intelligence, unmanned autonomous systems, and the exploitation of data. ➡️ Click here to read the report now: https://orlo.uk/jYFCV

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💭 Reimagining Defence Procurement Have you read our case study featuring Team AANT from King's College London's Department of War Studies? The #H4MOD student team took on the challenge of addressing information gaps within defence's procurement processes. Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eve_ciUg 👈 #CommonMissionProject #MissionDrivenEntrepreneurship #ProblemSolving #LeanStartup

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What a manic day between important project work and reviewing the NEW NPPF - our earlier than usual Christmas present 🎁 Thanks Laura for some really helpful summary points! Its worth also reading the government's response to the NPPF Consultation which provides some useful context and framing around some of the changes. 🌊 for example see question 80 for a little clarification around the updated paragraph 175 in relation to the application of the flood risk sequential test (not that you should in my view need to rely on reading the response to understand what is being said!) 🚿 https://lnkd.in/eh_sRCcH Let me know if you want to discuss any of the implications of the new NPPF! #NPPF #earlyxmas SLR Consulting

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An interesting perspective. The ability to protect critical national infrastructure is of paramount importance. Physical security measures must always feature as a funded/resourced priority. Risk mitigation will only ever look good on paper.

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The MoD has released it's research and analysis on the UK's defence spending compared to the international picture. Key Points: $1,305 billion - Total military expenditure of NATO members. An increase of $33 billion since 2022 when adjusted for inflation. 10 NATO countries meeting the guideline to spend 2% of GDP on defence in 2023. An additional three countries met the guideline when compared to the previous year. These countries were Denmark, Finland and Hungary. 2.30% UK expenditure on defence as a percentage of national GDP in 2023. The UK has met NATO’s 2% target every year since its introduction in 2006 and remains the 2nd largest spender in NATO, after the USA. 5th The UK’s position in global defence expenditure rankings, according to IISS. The UK has dropped from a ranking of 3rd in 2022. SIPRI, who include expenditure on state paramilitary forces in their estimates, rank the UK 6th globally (compared to 4th last year). 46.6% The rise in Poland’s defence expenditure in 2023 compared to the previous year. This equates to an additional $8.4 billion spent on defence in 2023, making Poland the first defence spender as a percentage of their GDP in NATO rankings. $64.8 billion Ukraine’s total defence expenditure in 2023. An increase in spend of $18.9 billion from the previous year meant that Ukraine moved from 6th to 5th position among Non-NATO members in 2023, according to SIPRI

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Determining the requirements of a military asset years ahead of its delivery requires a deep understanding of the emergent threat and the technology required to counter it. Our personnel have the knowledge to objectively write requirements and then assess a project’s delivery against those requirements in a considered and concise manner. This has resulted in us delivering programme and requirements management for the UK Typhoon, Lightning F-35B and a number of ISR platforms. #Inzpire #DefenceIndustry #DefenseIndustry #Aerospace #AerospaceIndustry #MilitaryTraining #DefenceTraining #Defence #Defense #DefenceCapability #DefenseCapability #ProgrammeManagement #ProgrammeDevelopment #RequirementsManagement #RequirementsAnalysis #RequirementsEngineering #ConceptDevelopment https://ow.ly/wTpl50QoOxh

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❗ 17 DAYS TO GO ❗ Time is ticking down to give your views on how to ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad ⏰ We are living in a more dangerous and volatile world and we need a new era for UK Defence 🇬🇧 Your views can help forge a new clear-eyed approach to our national defences 🗣️ Have your say on the Strategic Defence Review here ➡️ https://ow.ly/mnjo50TmSoK

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Today the Cabinet Office issued the latest news on the cross-government #SecureByDesign approach. The rollout of the Secure by Design approach across the thirty five organisations in Group 1 (ministerial departments, and arm’s length bodies with critical national infrastructure and/or a Top 75 service) is progressing at pace. Below I have compiled the #tldr snapshot: The Secure by Design newsletter for July 2024 outlines the progression of the Secure by Design initiative, highlighting the pivotal role of designated champions in implementing security measures across government organizations. It emphasizes the diverse starting points for each organization regarding security maturity and the tailored approaches taken to address those differences. Additionally, the newsletter introduces new resources to support successful implementation, alongside a call for senior-level advocacy to elevate the initiative's visibility and integration across various teams. Key Points > The Secure by Design Champions, nominated by senior leaders, are essential for driving the initiative's adoption in their respective organizations. > Kick-off meetings with champions have verified their understanding of the Secure by Design approach and addressed their questions. > Organizations exhibit varying levels of security maturity, and champions are working to adapt implementation activities to these unique circumstances. > Champions are establishing cross-functional working groups and conducting gap analyses to assess organizational readiness for Secure by Design principles. > New resources have been released, including a Self Assessment Tracker and a Preparation Checklist, to aid organizations in their Secure by Design implementation efforts. > Senior leaders are encouraged to actively support their Champions and advocate for the Secure by Design approach within their organizations. > The newsletter promotes upcoming communication initiatives, including blogs and webinars, aimed at raising awareness and providing additional guidance on Secure by Design.

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UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) - Cyber Resilience in the Supply Chain Letter On December 19th, the MOD released a a letter from the Second Permanent Secretary, DG Chief Information Officer and DG Commercial to Defence industry CEOs/Defence Leads about driving cyber resilience in the supply chain. https://lnkd.in/eeXbVaQD

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End of week Resettlement summary 👇 A very productive week this time... I attended a brilliant live transition event with John Stephenson - Forces Transition in Wetherby. I won't go into depth with this as an earlier post covers it, but the main point is that this format is, in my opinion, the most effective way of doing a career fair. If your in resettlement and get the chance to go to a live FTG event grasp it! This week my 2-day Career Transition Workshop (CTW) course dates have been confirmed. Rather annoyingly when you select a CTW the CTP website needs to wait for a Career Consultant to approve your booked event. This causes delays which is not ideal in resettlement when time slips away quickly. Book this asap! Anyway the CTW should give more direction and guidance for the rest of the resettlement journey. For info the Army transition partnership has recently changed to Reed. Teething problems are present at this early stage. One of the changes is the previous CTWs were 3-days and now it's 2-days. Having confirmation of a CTW also means I could clear all other potential CTW dates from my calender as your unsure on availability when booking. The white space allowed me to provide a number of dates to a civilian company to arrange a 3-day work attachment. This will give me the chance to get a feel for the company, better understand the landscape and see if I'd be a good fit. I have been invited for a final interview with one company with a date tbc. I was far for perfect in the previous interview, but it is something to build on and overall I'm happy given it was my first 3-person panel job interview in over 20 years. Since the CTW has been arranged I have been able to book some resettlement courses this week. 1. A Strategic Finances for Non-Financial Managers course. The intention is to bridge a gap in my knowledge as there isn't much of a commercial aspect required in a military career. This is something that I want to address as I prepare for a civilian career. The course is FREE so no personal resettlement cost! 2. A construction multi-skills course for 2025 to give a basic understanding of the construction sector. This course costs £225 and I'll be using a Standard Learning Credit (SLC) to claim back £175 of the fee. Service persons have this amount available every year. Use it or lose it! 3. Finally, I've booked a remote Project Management course with Bath Spa University, bringing a level 3 qualification again for free! A few points in finding these courses for those interested... The financial course was found via the CTP website but it is also available with ILX site (open to military) if you want to learn at distance. I found out about the free Project Management course during the FTG live event. This is also a good reason to attend these events as often there are education providers / charities that are there to offer you support and training. Take advantage of these on offer. Never waste a week of resettlement.

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Six first steps for change.    1. Deliver economic stability.  2. Cut NHS waiting times.  3. Launch a new Border Security Command.  4. Set up Great British Energy.  5. Crack down on antisocial behaviour. 6. Recruit 6,500 new teachers.    Fully funded and ready to go.

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MoD contracts opening up for SMEs - or are they? Fresh intel hints the tide may be turning… Defence contracts have always seemed like an impenetrable fortress for smaller players. Our latest report backs this up... mostly. Cold hard facts: • Defence ranks dead last for SME-friendliness • SMEs only bag 40% of contracts - rock bottom across all sectors But here's the intriguing bit: • 79% are tagged as “SME-suitable” • SME market value spiked 26.29% in 2022 (we couldn’t find a published stat for 2023…suspicious!) The MOD may be making moves to welcome more SMEs: 1. Making big suppliers advertise subcontracting gigs 2. Keeping contracts simple for easier buys 3. Factoring in social value when picking winners The MOD wants that SME secret sauce. But of course, change is slow in this world. For gutsy SMEs, it spells "opportunity". Early birds could hit the jackpot. SMEs, what do you think? Would MoD contracts be on your agenda? Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/dBuh3px3

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Keep Our Future Afloat welcomes opportunity of MoD's "Defence Industrial Strategy - Statement of Intent" announced today and its intention to involve trade unions in its preparation. Kofac indicated it will be co-ordinating a response to the consultation which will set out the vital role naval shipbuilding and the Submarine Industrial base play in delivering nuclear steam raising plant, guaranteeing UK security, freedom of action, our continuously at sea deterrent fleet operations and future Aukus fleet investment. Defence contributes hugely to UK regional prosperity,exports and Anglo-Australian- USA and other alliances Kofac will also highlight the role Cumbria and the NWest of England have in delivering test and trials capability at Spaedadam, Eskmeals,Warcop and other places. Mark Ashall Janet Garner Hon. David Ridgway Bryan Davies robert heron Northrop Grumman UK Jackie Arnold MBE Jamie Frankland Helen Kennett Sam Plum

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🇬🇧 Deterrence and British strategy In the fourth Open Briefing to the Strategic Defence Review, William Freer and James Rogers analyse the role of deterrence in British defence policy. You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gjxjRuRJ #OpenBriefing #SDR #StrategicDefenceReview #BritainsWorld #Deterrence

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AWARD®️ is one of the key sourcing tools for UK Ministry of Defence procurements. Not everyone is aware of its full capabilities and how best to employ it. These sessions will share a wealth of knowledge about AWARD®️, market engagement, and VFM selection from some of our most experienced professionals. If you can’t make it, hit up Samantha Bevan-Talbot to schedule a one on one with your team. Commerce Decisions Better procurement IS possible!

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The Government-backed National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills (Skills Plan), launched last week with a charter signing in Westminster. Delivering the ambition to recruit more people into the nuclear sector by 2030 requires concerted action. The skills roadmap identifies the required action across four key themes, underpinned by a set of scoped projects and their strategic benefits. The Skills Plan represents industry and Government working together to deliver the skills needed for UK nuclear and outlines the goal of doubling the number of new apprenticeships by 2026 and recruiting 40,000 new jobs by 2030 – double the current hiring rate for the sector. The nuclear industry plays a huge role in the economic prosperity of the North West and the regions’ transition to Net Zero. The region holds a world-class skills base in decommissioning, fuel and other disciplines and hosting some of the most prestigious nuclear facilities in the country, which were strengthened further by the government’s announcement last week of a £196 million investment into Urenco’s Capenhurst facility. Rachel O'Donnell, Director at Mace, Chair of the Northern Nuclear Alliance and NWBLT member said "I’m pleased to see that the Nuclear Skills Task Force has published the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills and the Charter to align focus on delivery. Skills and attracting people to the nuclear sector is key to unlocking the growth of both the civil and defence nuclear sectors, both of which are hugely important to the North West. Through the NNA’s Skills and Capability group, and together with the NWBLT we’ll be focusing on how we help deliver this for the North West”. You can find out more about the Skills Plan on Home – Nuclear Skills Delivery Group [https://lnkd.in/es7MYG8Y]

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If ever a UK DefTech drive was needed, it’s now. techUK’s first Defence Campaign Week, "DefTech: Technology Transforming Defence" running 25–29 November, is timely. The British Army’s Chief of the General Staff and the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence appear to be keen supporters of what we are aiming to achieve for the benefit of SMEs and country alike. My latest blog article, ‘Our defence forces face big challenges — and an urgent DefTech drive will help address them’, explores the key challenges while mapping out an urgent and positive path forward. The blog is now live in the News section of the 2iC website here: https://lnkd.in/edpdGAaP  If you’re in UK defence (particularly in a SME in the DefTech sector), join me on the UK DefTech drive and also get involved in techUK’s Defence Campaign Week. I'd welcome your comments and feedback.   #DefTech #DigitalInteroperability

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