Commenting on the Defence and Security White Paper, a trade body has welcomed the consideration of appointing a Senior Responsible Owner in Whitehall to work with the UK security industry and help to make the UK security market work more efficiently and increase responsible security export potential.
Rees Ward, Chief Executive of ADS, said: “Today’s announcement in the White Paper is a positive signal for a key growth sector, and demonstrates a real commitment from Government for this hi-tech market with enormous export potential. With one of the principal roles of any government being national security, the commitment to evaluate the benefits of a Senior Responsible Owner – or more simply a security champion – in Whitehall, responsible for industry engagement is a real step forward. Industry looks forward to working with the Home Office and other Government departments to making this role possible and a powerful enabler of standardisation and rationalisation.
“The White Paper’s commitment to promote UK capabilities in the global security market responsibly will also be of great benefit not only for achieving UK economic growth, but also in helping to achieve the UK’s international security objectives. The promotion of UK PLC’s Security Brand by the UK Government would be a fantastic enabler for exports. Industry will be keen to continue working with Government to ensure that the UK maximises its security export potential.
“The security aspects of the White Paper reflect the positive discussions industry is having with the Home Office, the Foreign Office and UKTI about increasing UK exports of security systems and services. The proposals outlined in the White Paper reveal a real belief in the potential for the UK security sector, and industry can only welcome today’s announcements.”
Stats on UK security:
– Current global security market according to UKTI was worth £260bn in 2010. Forecasts suggest further growth to £337bn by 2015.
– With around a 5pc share of the global export market, the UK is ranked 5th in the world behind the US, China, Japan and India
– UKTI estimates that Security employs around 335,000, with ADS Members accounting for 50,828 in hi-tech service orientated side of the industry
– ADS recent survey of its members showed that 19pc of turnover came from exports, with Member export figures to the US in cyber services dominating
The ADS security survey of its members for 2011 can be found at: ADSsecurity2011.
