Earlier this month (January 2026), members of the Naimuri team attended the Defence and Security Supply Chain Network event in Manchester.
The large-scale event, hosted by GM Growth Hub with support from the North West Regional Defence & Security Cluster (NWRDSC) and the GM Security and Defence Supply Chains Network event showcased the region’s unique strengths and opportunities for SMEs across the security and defence landscape and brought together over 250 participants from the data, cyber, and manufacturing sectors.
As a proud and long-standing supporter of the NWRDSC, we are keen to support the growth of the defence and security industry in our region and were delighted to be involved in the inaugural event.
The day provided a crucial forum for discussing the future health and resilience of the defence community in Manchester and the NW.
The conversations reaffirmed the urgency in addressing three interconnected pillars for growth: collaboration, talent attraction, and investment.
Enhanced collaboration for mission success
Our participation on the post-lunch panel, chaired by Tanya from GM Growth, focused on the complexities of our sector. The consensus was clear: moving forward requires a new era of collaboration.
This means fostering strong, transparent relationships not only between government and prime contractors, but also throughout the entire supply chain, including SMEs and regional tech firms like Naimuri.
True mission success is dependent on a frictionless exchange of ideas, technology, and trust across the ecosystem.
Prioritising talent attraction: The 'Future Workforce'
The deep-dive roundtables we facilitated centred on a range of topics, including AI and supply chain, but the future of the workforce was heavily debated.
Attracting and retaining the next generation of security and technology experts demands a collective effort to:
- Challenge perceptions: Better articulate the mission and career paths to a wider, more diverse talent pool.
- Simplify entry: Work with stakeholders to streamline barriers, particularly the lengthy vetting and clearance processes, which disproportionately affect young talent and agile businesses.
- Bridge the skills gap: Focus on training for critical areas like AI, Cyber, and Data Science to ensure the UK maintains a competitive edge.
Strategic Investment and Regional Growth
The organisation and investment into this event by the GM Growth Hub underscores the importance of investment being anchored in regional development. For the North West, strategic capital is needed to:
- Support R&D: Funnel investment into regional tech companies to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative solutions.
- Strengthen the supply chain: Ensure SMEs have the resources to scale their operations and integrate into national and international defence programs.
- Foster ecosystems: Capitalise on the NWRDSC's work to create sustainable, interconnected clusters that drive job creation and economic security across the North.
We extend a huge thanks to everyone who organised such a successful day. We are looking forward to the next one and building upon the momentum.
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