Interviews

Three Counties Expo

by Mark Rowe

Law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys is organising a second defence and security exhibition, the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE), at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern on Thursday, May 31.

The event, like the first Hereford Defence and Security Expo in 2017, is aimed at those involved in private and public safety and security, crime prevention and serving police besides those in the military and broader defence and security industry. It’s the idea 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. 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 with The Manufacturers’ Organisation (EEF) and its 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 to support the event.

Industry contractors such as Vodafone, BAE Systems and Thales will be presenting and exhibiting, alongside defence and security businesses based in the Three Counties, such as Qinetiq. The exhibition space will be zoned, to cover cyber security, hardware and vehicles, IT and communications (C4ITS) and unmanned aerial vehicles.

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. 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.”

Also planned are a networking breakfast with a keynote speaker, and full day of workshops and presentations covering international trade, grants and finance and practical information about doing business with the MoD.

Outside the exhibition hall will be a military display; inside, a ‘village’ presenting advice and specialist services such as banks and recruitment. 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 added: “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.”

For more about exhibiting and attending visit www.3cdse.co.uk.

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