Three Counties Defence and Security Expo 2018 to focus on cybersecurity and UAV surveillance

Following the success of the first Hereford Defence and Security Expo in 2017, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, one of the UK’s Top 100 law firms, is organising a second major defence and security expo, the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE) 2018, which will be held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern on 31^st May 2018.

The event, which will be of interest to those involved in private and public safety and security, crime prevention and those serving in the police forces as well as to those in the military and broader defence and security industry, is the inspiration of Richard Morgan, partner and head of the Defence, Security and the Forces team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys.

Richard said; “The first event at The Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, was over-subscribed, reaching the venue capacity of 30 exhibitors (with an unfulfilled waiting list of interested businesses) and 400 delegates, who attended from across the UK. Building on this success, the event has been scaled up, and we’re delighted that the Three Counties Showground in Malvern will be this year’s venue, with capacity for up to 150 exhibitors and 2,000 delegates.”Local business groups and government bodies have partnered with Harrison Clark Rickerbys to support the event

Business networking

He continued; “The regional dynamic and still relatively intimate scale of the event offers business to business networking opportunities between contributors to the defence and security sector in the Three Counties area as well as with prime contractors and the military. This means that unlike larger expos, delegates have the opportunity to meet with decision makers.”

3CDSE will be run in partnership with The Manufacturers’ Organisation (EEF) and its dedicated defence sub-group, National Defence Industries (NDI). 

Local business groups and government bodies, including the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Worcestershire Business Central, Hereford Enterprise Zone/Skylon Park, Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership have also partnered with Harrison Clark Rickerbys to support the event.

Support and participation

With a theme of innovation, commitments of support and participation have been received from many senior military speakers including Brigadier Robin Sergeant, Head of Future Force Development of the British Army; Danny Wootton, Head of Innovation, MoD and Colonel Jani Marok RMR, Head of the Royal Marine Reserves.

Leading defence and security experts from prime industry contractors such as Vodafone, BAE Systems and Thales will also be presenting and exhibiting, alongside leading defence and security businesses and experts based in the Three Counties. The exhibition space will be zoned, to include cyber security, hardware and vehicles, IT and communications (C4ITS) and unmanned aerial vehicles.Given the introduction of DEFCON 658, GDPR and the NIS Directive, we see the value in our sector coming together

Sharing security lessons

Dr Alex Tarter, head of Cyber Consulting at Thales, has been working in the field of critical national infrastructure cyber security for over 10 years, and will be one of the presenters at the event.

Dr. Tarter said; “Thales believes in the strength and diversity of the defence and security supply chain which is why we’re happy to support the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo."

"Given the recent significant changes to our industry through the introduction of DEFCON 658, GDPR and the NIS Directive, we see the value in our sector coming together, sharing valuable lessons learned and contributing to the creation of a vibrant and secure environment for UK PLC to continue to blossom on the world-stage.”

Workshops and presentations

In addition to the presentation programme, there will be a networking breakfast with a keynote speaker, as well as a full day of workshops and presentations covering international trade, grants and finance and practical information about doing business with the MoD.3CDSE will appeal to those operating in the defence and security industry

Outside the exhibition hall there will be a military display; inside, alongside the main defence and security exhibition, there will be a professional village presenting organisations such as banks and recruitment businesses who provide professional advice and specialist services to the defence industry.

Members of the West Midlands Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association will also be on hand to answer employer queries about the MoD’s Employer Covenant.

Richard Morgan concluded; “3CDSE will appeal to those operating in the defence and security industry, those seeking products and services from the industry and those seeking to engage with the industry for joint ventures, employment, education or other initiatives.”