Defence Information 24 is a hybrid conference, with attendance in person and online.

Are increasing tensions around the world making us rethink our geopolitical security position? Recent speculation in the media suggest that there may be a new strategic defence review on the horizon; now is the time for MOD and Industry to join forces in a New Alliance.

The Theme and Programme for Defence Information ’24 has been inspired by the Defence Command Paper issued by the MOD as Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world. Published in July 2023 the paper looks to secure and maintain our Strategic Advantage including through Our People, Transformation through Science and Technology and the Relationship with Industry.

The Secretary of State concludes that our Strategic Advantage “is derived from our investment in cutting edge future technologies, including digital and data, and emerging scientific and technological advances. It is derived from our relationship with industry, which we must continue to strengthen into a new alliance, as a genuine partnership to sustain our defence.”

This year’s theme, ‘Strengthening the New Alliance,’ will be explored through formal presentations, engaging panel sessions, and valuable networking opportunities. Attendees will also have the chance to visit the exhibition throughout the event and participate in the Day 2 PM Workshop (limited numbers).

THE PROGRAMME

All panels are followed by a chaired discussion, taking questions from virtual delegates and from the floor.

DAY ONE

Panel One – MOD Strategy/Policy – Chairing: John Batterbee, AtkinsRéalis

• Charlie Forte, CIO MOD provides the Keynote Address on the increasing imperative to leverage digital and data in increasingly contest and hostile world
• Gabrielle Gower, Director Defence Design covering Defence Design will talk on the MOD’s progress towards a new operating mode, Defence Design – What is it and what does it mean for industry?
• Mivy James, Defence Digital Chief Technology Officer, MOD will talk on how she sees the CTO role evolving over the next few years
• Brig Mike Morton discusses Digital Strategy for Defence; Backbone 2.0 and other Emerging Themes

Panel Two – Relationship with Industry – Enabling the New Alliance – Chairing: David Thompson, Appian

• Victoria Cope, Defence Digital Commercial Director, MOD – Defence Digital Commercial Strategy and building a new relationship with Industry
• Robert Stoneman, Senior Director Analyst, Gartner will be speaking on Digital Technology Trends
• Christine Maxwell, Defence Digital Director, Cyber Defence & Risk – talks A Year On – Secure by Design and Collaboration Environments
• Gareth Hetheridge, Leonardo & Ali Nicholl, Iotics cover Benefits of Partnerships: adopting commercial off-the-shelf technology developed outside of Defence
• Fiona Miles, MOD Submarine Delivery Agency and Andy Tully from Babcock International, discuss Defence Nuclear Data Centre enablement of MOD/Industry collaboration in the UK & Internationally
• Chris Parker, Director Government Strategy, Fortinet – A New Partnership – Turning Strategy into Action – opening the panel discussion

Panel Three – Artificial Intelligence for Defence – Chairing: Peter Wright, Thales

• Cdre Rachel Singleton, Defence Digital Artificial Intelligence Centre Head, MOD talks about how the MOD is adopting AI from a Defence Digital DAIC perspective
• Nigel Shaw, CDIO DE&S, MOD – Lighting the AI Fuse
• Alexandru Marcoci, University of Cambridge, on How to effectively manage AI Risks
• Sam McBriar, Director of Research & Technology & Solution Innovation, Thales – Deploying AI in Operational Capabilities
• Dr Adam Zagorecki, Senior Research Fellow, Cranfield University – AI in Defence: Understanding the Landscape
• Venus Arsenio, BAE Systems/TD-Info Vanguard & Dr Sinead O’Brien, Data Scientist, BAE Systems – MoD AI Ethical Principles and the Defence Industry

Panel Four – People & Skills for Defence – Chairing: Dave Appleton, tlmNEXUS

• Claire Fry, Defence Digital Director, Functional Integration, MOD covering the progress made in the MOD’s Digital People & Skills programme
• Katie Renton, DE&S, MOD talks about Defence Equipment and Support, Through Life Support Skills
• Neil Young, Global Engineering Director and Mikaela Green, Through Life Training Capability Director, Land Sector, Babcock International close Day One discussing Skills challenges and how we are delivering skills in a changing defence landscape

Extra – A less formal gathering of likeminded individuals to network with refreshments – 17.30 to 20.00 hrs

DAY TWO

Panel Five – Transforming Defence through Science, Innovation and Technology – Chairing: Jim Scott, Lockheed Martin UK

• Ian Wilcock, Hd Cyber & Information Systems, Dstl – S&T Ecosystem : Unlocking the Future and Helping Defence Mitigate the Risks
• Dr Chris Moore-Bick, DST and IBM talk on Quantum Computing – Defence perspectives and opportunities, Roberto Lo Nardo will participate on the panel
• Dr Natasha Fox, MOD Defence Innovation Unit Deputy Head & Geoff Howes, MOD Defence Innovation Unity Deputy Head will be discussing MOD’s Innovation Engine.
• Jon Spencer, Dstl Technical Strategy Leader for C4i Systems – Assured Information to the Tactical Edge

Panel Six – Context for Defence – Chairing: Luca Leone, Kahootz

• Paul Tingey, Strategy Lead for UK Defence, UK, Amazon Web Services – Unleashing the power of data: A digital imperative for the defence of the Nation
• Richard Griffith, Chief Technology Officer, Envitia – The critical role of data: helping Royal Navy design the next generation of Naval platforms
• Dan Jones, MOD Strategic Hub Development Digital discussing the Digitial Deterrence
• Dave Hawken, Defence Digital, MOD covers Improving Resilience through Digital Sustainability

DAY TWO – Optional Afternoon Workshop – to contribute to the next edition of the Digital Strategy for Defence. Whether your interests are in digital, cyber, data, or technology, there will be something for everyone. Digital Strategy After Next – Beyond the Backbone.

Based on what you have heard at DI24, what should MOD include in the next edition of the Digital Strategy for Defence? Brig Mike Morton (MOD), Dave Hawken ( MOD) and Tony Butler (TD-Info) will be introducing six facilitated discussion groups on some of the key themes emerging from the Strategy development work.

Please note: Due to the high level of interest and limited capacity for the workshop, registrations will be reviewed and confirmation of attendance will be issued to those who have been successful.

In addition to the Workshop on Day 2, throughout the event, there will be a designated ‘Talk Strategy’ area where you can come and discuss what you think should be in the next evolution of the strategy.

If you are interested in hearing about how MOD and Industry see the future of Digital in Defence, progress on delivering the Digital Backbone, and how the front line is exploiting Digital solutions, DI24 will be of interest to you.

Ticket Information

• TD-Info Members: Both Days £550, Day One or Day Two £300, Virtual £100
• Non-Members: Both Days £850, Day One or Day Two £450, Virtual £250
• MOD: All tickets FOC

Note: Day One and Both Day tickets include Network Extra, the above prices are subject to 20% VAT.

PLEASE NOTE: Team Defence Information (TD-Info) may have official photographer(s) and/or camera person(s) at our events to produce promotional material/project work/learning materials.