Western Regional Defence & Security Cluster

Cheltenham hosted the second quarterly meeting of the new Western Regional Defence & Security Cluster (WRDSC) on 11 March, held at the Minster Exchange (MX).

The cluster now comprises around 400 members, including major primes such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Babcock, alongside key Government organisations including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Defence & Security Accelerator (DASA). The initiative has also received early support through Ministry of Defence funding, helping to establish this new regional hub.

At the March meeting, GKN and Leonardo outlined their strategic priorities and the ways in which SMEs can engage with their supply chains. This session was particularly well-received, offering practical insights for companies from across Gloucestershire and the wider region.

It was also valuable to hear from CyNam’s General Manager, Hollie Wakefield, who highlighted the region’s strengths in cyber security and digital resilience, as well as the support available through this rapidly growing industry body. CyNam continues to be recognised by Central Government as an exemplar organisation in this specialist field, reflecting both its national influence and its impact within the local innovation ecosystem.

Attendees additionally received an overview of the Government’s recently launched Strategic Defence Review, highlighting emerging technologies, capability needs, and future areas of investment.

Looking ahead, the audience heard that Government is preparing to launch a new Defence Ventures Fund later this year. This initiative is expected to support the growth of innovative companies across the defence and security sectors, an industry of significant economic importance to Gloucestershire.

Further details about the cluster can be found at www.wrdsc.co.uk.