The Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the University of Lincoln joined forces last week to provide a presence at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) in London.

DSEI is the world’s largest fully integrated defence and security hybrid event that brings together the global defence and security sector to innovate and share knowledge.

This year’s event took place at ExCel London from 12th to 15th September and featured five sector-focused zones – aerospace, land, naval, security and joint – as well as four hubs for future tech, manufacturing, medical and space.

The Defence in Lincolnshire stand, which was supported by Team Lincolnshire, aimed to promote the newly formed Greater Lincolnshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster and showcase opportunities for the sector in our area.

Eight of our SMEs had the opportunity to exhibit on the stand during the event, which gave them exposure to a wide range of the world’s foremost defence businesses and customers:

  • SRC UK
  • JD2E
  • Urban Moto
  • The Armoury Group
  • Vantage UAV
  • Musketeer Solutions Ltd.
  • EWS
  • Lone Star Analysis

Greater Lincolnshire was the only regional defence and security cluster to have a dedicated space at DSEI, and the only area of the UK to have a stand in partnership with academia.

During the event the University of Lincoln announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Qinetiq which establishes a partnership to develop a National Centre for Defence and Security Artificial Intelligence in Lincoln.

“Attending DSEI under the Defence in Lincolnshire banner was a positive step for the development of the Greater Lincolnshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster, placing it as a critical part of a bigger regional picture alongside the University of Lincoln, as an academic partner, and Team Lincolnshire, who provide a ‘soft landing’ for companies seeking to relocate or invest in the area,” said Julian Free, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Defence and Security Advisory Board and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln.

“The level of engagement we saw from commercial and international companies highlighted the potential for growth within the sector across the county.”

If you are interested in joining the Greater Lincolnshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster email Amy.O'Sullivan@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

If you would like to collaborate with the University of Lincoln on defence-related projects, contact Charlotte Kirton by emailing CKirton@lincoln.ac.uk.

To find out more about the cluster visit https://www.greaterlincolnshirerdsc.com/.

Our photo from the event shows (left to right) Dr Matthew Thornton, Commercial Manager for the Bridge Advanced Materials R&D Centre at the University of Lincoln; Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Morris of the British Army; and Lucy Prescott, Project Manager (Project Selborne) at the University of Lincoln.