West Midlands launches MoD-backed RDSC

Above: (left to right) David Zevulun, Colonel Amar Bhundia, Joanna Cavan OBE and Bruce Hardie.
Courtesy WMGC
  
The region-wide partnership brings together industry, academia, government and the Armed Forces to boost collaboration across the sector and support organisations of all sizes to innovate and grow. 

The West Midlands is one of UK’s most diverse and strategically important regions for defence and security, employing 23,500 people and with an annual Ministry of Defence (MoD) industry spend of £1.7 billion. Its strengths in defence and security are underpinned by the region’s flagship Investment Zone, diverse end-to-end manufacturing supply chain, deep pool of STEM talent and academic excellence, with 10 world-class universities.  

The establishment of the West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster (WM RDSC) comes at a critical moment for the UK defence industry, with rising capability demands and rapid technological change requiring a more joined up approach across the sector. Several other RDSCs are active across the UK, creating a national network of clusters.  

The WM RDSC was launched yesterday at a special event hosted at the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL). UKTL is a cyber security and resilience lab based in the West Midlands responsible for bolstering the security of telecoms critical national infrastructure. The launch included key presentations from industry, MoD teams and Armed Forces representatives, demonstrating the defence and security opportunities available to West Midlands firms.  

The WM RDSC will be delivered by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) – the region’s official economic development organisation. The partnership includes local authorities, industry partners, including manufacturer NMS UK, the Ministry of Defence and key research institutions – including Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), University of Birmingham and University of Warwick. It will support the delivery of the Midlands Defence and Security Blueprint and be connected to the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council, translating the UK’s national defence strategies into a regional delivery plan. 
  
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We’re going all in to win major investment for our defence and security sector because that’s where the high-quality jobs of the future are for local people. It will take a team effort but the award of Defence Technical Excellence College status for Walsall College already means our young people will get the skills they need to land those jobs and we have industry leaders serving on our defence council.  

“This new cluster now brings together top talent from innovative businesses and world-class universities right across the region. It’s a huge opportunity for those companies to grow and for young people to build careers in jobs critical to our economic success and our national security.” 

David Zevulun, Country Director at NMS UK, said: “NMS UK has established itself in the West Midlands to reinforce its position as a leading manufacturer of Military Protected 4×4 vehicles, bringing over 40 years of engineering expertise in service of the British Army and UK defence exports. With the West Midlands at the heart of the UK’s mobility and manufacturing industry, the region provides an ideal base for investment and growth. 

“Engagement with the West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster offers NMS UK valuable opportunities to collaborate across industry and academia, connect with innovative SMEs and support a resilient UK defence ecosystem.” 

Joanna Cavan OBE, Managing Director at UKTL, said: “As part of the security and defence ecosystem in the West Midlands, the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) was delighted to host the launch of the West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster. The RDSC is a great opportunity for organisations in the West Midlands to showcase their capabilities and strengthen the region’s contribution to UK defence and security."  

Bruce Hardie, Defence Industry Partner at UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), MoD, said: “The West Midlands has a deep-rooted defence and security sector, with strengths spanning advanced manufacturing, cyber, autonomous systems, and engineering. The West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster builds on this foundation, connecting the region’s businesses, universities and public sector bodies to create a thriving innovation ecosystem that delivers real capability into the hands of UK Defence. 

“As an integral part of UK Defence Innovation outreach, the West Midlands RDSC helps regional SMEs and innovators navigate the defence and security market, access UKDI funding competitions and develop the relationships and readiness needed to scale their solutions into long-term defence capability.” 

The West Midlands RDSC is free to join, with more information and joining instructions available on its website: www.westmidsrdsc.co.uk