09 Apr 21. The recent Integrated Review and Command Plan herald a step-change in how the UK engages and operates its defence forces across the world. Over the next few months, TD-Info is hosting various events that will explore what this means for the defence community and how UK industry can most effectively support the modernisation of our armed forces. Further details of recent and future events are provided below.
SupportNet 2021 (SupportNET21) Conference – Postponed to 18 May 2021
TD-Info is pleased to support the MOD with hosting SupportNET21 which offers a platform for leading figures from the UK MoD Support community to reflect on the outcomes and implications of the recent Integrated Review, Command Plan and Defence & Security Industrial Strategy as well as developments since the creation of the Defence Support organisation a year ago.
The event will offer perspectives from across the spectrum of Defence, Front Line Commands, industry and international allies on the challenges and opportunities for Support and Industry, guided by the Defence Support (DefSp) Strategy. Speakers have yet to be confirmed but we anticipate they will include:
- Lt Gen Richard Wardlaw OBE, MOD Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS)
- Lt Gen Charles G Chiarotti USMC, Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics
- Maj Gen Simon Hamilton CBE, Director Support, Army Headquarters
- Professor Janet Godsell, Prof. of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy, University of Warwick
- Air Cdre David Tozer, Support Transformation Portfolio Director, Air Command
Attendance at SupportNET21 is free via a third-party portal here. Please note, you will need to register a new account separate to your TD-Info login credentials. For further information contact Kevin Atkins.
There will be a limited opportunity to exhibit virtual trade stands (maximum 50) by registering here.
New TD-Info Lead Sponsors – We are pleased to announce that Jacobs and XMA are now Lead Sponsors for TD-Info. Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. XMA delivers a range of IT solutions that enables customers to evolve and transform the way they work.
New TD-Info Members – We are also pleased to welcome Parava and Sirius as new Members to TD-Info. Parava provides expertise in cyber security and Sirius is a member of several Government frameworks delivering analysis and Systems Engineering.
Future Events – A number of notable events are coming up in the next few months:
Future Technology Workplace – Final Webinar – 15 Apr – TD-Info has now held 4 of the 5 planned webinars to investigate and discuss how technology might enable new ways of working in a post COVID-19 world. These have all proved very informative and productive with participants from the MOD and over 20 organisations across the defence community.
The webinar on 15 Apr will conclude the discussions and summarise the emerging themes; recordings of the discussions and presentations are available to view here. If you are a Member of TD-Info and would like the opportunity to shape the future workplace then please register your interest or contact Will Tuohy.
ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE) Training Courses – 10 to 13 May – The STE training courses have successfully moved online and the next 4-day course is being held on 10-13 May from 09:00 – 12:30 (GMT) daily. Previous attendees say that they like:
- Applying STE to their own documents to get feedback from the facilitator and each other
- Attending 4 half-day sessions to give time to reflect and stay up-to-date with work
- Being fully engaged and actively sharing ideas and opinions
- Getting practical tips to help them to realize the value of STE
Each course has a maximum of 6 attendees to guarantee opportunities to fully interact and to have individual feedback from the facilitator. To find out more or to register for the training please, email Ciaran Dodd.
Team Defence Information AGM – Change of Date to 22 June – The TD-Info Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been postponed from 17 March and will now be held on 22 June. The next TD-Info Council Meeting will proceed as planned on 22 June. For further details please contact Will Tuohy.
Future Conferences – A number of notable conferences are coming up in the next few months:
Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference – 26 May – In recent years we have seen an exponential growth in the adoption and deployment of AI across many industries and sectors. The ethical and responsible adoption of this technology is paramount for building public trust and enabling the true benefits of AI to be recognised.
This is a free virtual event run in collaboration between TD-Info and techUK; it will explore how AI is currently being used in defence and deep-dive into some of the key ethical issues associated with its application, through a series of presentations, panel debates and Q&A sessions. Please register for the event here or contact Luca Leone.
Defence Information 2021 (DI21) Virtual Event – 16 to 17 June – Online registration for DI21 is now open for this year’s major annual event jointly organised by MOD Defence Digital and Team Defence Information.
DI21 provides a highly informative forum for the ‘Team Defence’ community to discuss MOD strategic initiatives, exchange information, and become engaged in collaborative MOD/Industry Working Groups. Charlie Forte, MOD CIO, will join other senior MOD and Industry keynote speakers in discussing this year’s theme “Exploiting the Defence Digital Backbone”.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Prime: Fujitsu
Gold: Babcock, UKCloud
Silver: IFS UK, Dassault Systems
To register for the event please click here. There is also the opportunity to exhibit a virtual stand. For further information on DI21 and how to become a sponsor please email Steve Shepherd or Sue Russell.
MOD Strategic Command – Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) Industry Day – 24 June – Steve Hyde, Multi Domain Integration Head, will update industry on the aims of the MDI concept, how the change programme has been constructed and offer operational insights to the benefits of MDI. The event will discuss Defence’s vision of MDI following the Integrated Review and how investments meet the dependencies of MDI.
It is planned to be a physical event at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham, dependent on COVID-19 restrictions. Registration details will be available shortly; a briefing pack is available here. For more information please contact Leyton Lark.
Recent Events – A number of key Working Groups (WG) and notable events have recently taken place:
Supply Chain Study Day – The TD-Info Supply Chain Study Group (SCSG) recently conducted a number of study days with industry supply chain providers and specialists to discuss the question: “The MOD will prioritise the mapping of supply chains to the ensure the possible impacts on delivery of its outputs are minimised, what can industry do to help?” If you would like further information please contact Gavin Emmerson.
Dstl SME Search Light – As part of Dstl aspiration to grow its network of innovative suppliers, TD-Info hosted the latest round of SME Search Light events. These sessions focused on the Land Research Programmes raising awareness of S&T investment opportunities. As a key part of Dstls SME action plan TD-Info continues to play a leading role in these events. Slides from this and previous events are available for download; for further information please click here or contact Steve Green.
PEAS Receives Sanctuary Award – The PEAS Corrugated Sub-Group has recently won the prestigious MOD Sanctuary Award. The award recognises and encourages groups that benefit sustainable development, energy saving measures, wildlife, archaeology, environmental improvement or community awareness of conservation on or within land and property that the MoD owns or uses in the UK or overseas. Great effort Bob – well done!
Defence Support Force Development Sub Working Groups – As Defence Support approaches Transition State 3 and following the release of the Integrated Review, Command Paper, and Defence Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy, the Research Technology and Innovation workstream are establishing an exciting engagement plan for 2021. Aligning with Defence Support innovation and research priorities the existing Sub Working Groups (SWGs) are being re-invigorated. Sharing experience of practice, process, and technology the SWGs will identify use cases look to align potential funding streams building a roadmap of activities (Defence and Non-Defence) to generate the evidence base to underpin Defence Support Concept, Capability and Transformation development.
Aligned with SupportNet and the Defence Support Force Development Board (DSFDB) our 2021 programme now comprises:
Defence Support Supply Chain – previously known as Additive Manufacturing
- 8 April 21
- 15 July 21
- 18 November 21
Defence Support Data (previously Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- 12 May 21 (MOD Only)
- 19 August 21
- 2 December 21
Defence Support Distribution – previously Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS)
- 5 May 21
- 16 September 21
- 10 January 21
Sustainable Defence Support
- 27 April 21
- 17 June 21
- 21 October 21
- 22 February 21
Defence Support Digital Twin Community of Practice – Building upon the successful Digital Twin activities Team Defence Information is establishing a Defence Support Digital Twin Community of Practice (DSDTCoP). The CoP will pick up on the digital twin papers produced and work collaboratively across sectors to accelerate the development and adoption of digital twin capabilities across the defence sector. Relationships with AIA, AIAA, US DoD , Digital Built Britain EPSRC, Make UK to name but a few will align development activities and funding looking to lead the way in creation of a UK sovereign capability. For further information please contact Steve Green.
Key Dates for April and May 2021 – Please check the TD-Info website Calendar here to confirm details and how to join as these are subject to change:
- 8 Apr – Defence Supply Chain Working Group
- 15 Apr – Future Workplace Technology Seminar #5
- 19 Apr – Forecast and Resource Planning (F&RP) Tools Working Group
- 20 Apr – Forecast and Resource Planning (F&RP) SOM RACI Working Group
- 22 Apr – Joint Information Standards Coordination Team (JISCOT)
- 26 Apr – Industry Customer Engagement Forum (ICEF)
- 27 Apr – UK STE Working Group Meeting
- 27 Apr – Sustainable Defence Support Working Group
- 28 Apr – Team Defence Executive Meeting
- 28 Apr – Def Stan 00-600 Working Group
- 29 Apr – Defence Asset Community of Practice
- 5 May – Defence Support Distribution
- 6 May – Supportability Case Working Group
- 10 to 13 May – ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE) Training Course
- 18 May – SupportNet 2021 Conference
- 26 May – Team Defence Executive Meeting
- 16-17 Jun – Defence Information 2021 (DI21) Conference
Forthcoming Events – Non Team Defence-Info
- Briefing on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) (13 Apr). This is a techUK event promoted through TD-Info and available to register here.
- An Update on Cyber Essentials (13 Apr). This is a IASME Consortium event promoted through TD-Info and available to register here.
- Criminality, Disorder, Terror & Disruption (13 April) This is a Cityforum event promoted through TD-Info and available to register here.
- LSA, Product Support Analysis and Supportability Analysis Training Course (19 to 30 April). This course is delivered by Allan Webb who provide a wide range of through life support training courses identified here that are endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). For further details please email
Battlespace – TD-Info Members are entitled to a 20% reduction in subscription to the Battlespace defence electronics news service. For further details please contact Julian Nettlefold.
COVID-19 – TD-Info Remote Working
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the TD-Info administrative staff continue to work remotely; postal mail is only collected periodically. With this in mind, please use email as primary form of correspondence should you need to contact our admin or finance department