Defence Leaders' Forum

Guidehouse is proud to host the Defence Leaders' Forum: Defence Industrial Strategy Reboot at our London office on 20 March 2025.

Lord Drayson's Defence Industrial Strategy, introduced in 2006, was groundbreaking and well-received. It was followed by three more initiatives: the Defence Technology Strategy in 2007, and the Strategic Defence and Security Reviews and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy in 2021. Despite their ambitious goals, these strategies did not have a significant impact. This event will delve into what needs to change in this iteration of the industrial strategy. We will discuss the challenges to tackle, the tough decisions to make, and the necessary follow-through to ensure its success. 

Join us for an evening of insightful discussions from both national and international perspectives and to engage with a Q&A panel.

Speakers:

• Shaun Fernando, Partner, Strategy & Economics, Guidehouse
• Rebecca Harding, CEO, Centre for Economic Security
• Paul Mason, Labour Shadow Defence Team and Associate Fellow, Council for Geostrategy

Schedule of Events

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Arrival and Registration
6:30 p.m. – 6:40 p.m.  Welcome Remarks

• David Walters, UK Practice Leader, Guidehouse

6:45 p.m. – 7:05 p.m. Strategic Choices and Q+A

• Shaun Fernando, Partner, Guidehouse

7:10 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Industrial Economic Capacity and Q+A

• Rebecca Harding, CEO, Centre for Economic Security

7:35 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. MOD / Industry Interface and Q+A 

• Paul Mason, Associate Fellow, Council for Geostrategy

8:00 p.m. – 8:25 p.m. Panel Discussion
8:25 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Closing Remarks
8:30 p.m. Networking