A major defence and security event, sponsored by Skylon Park, has been hailed a big success after attracting up to 1,000 delegates and more than 100 exhibitors.
The Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE), saw attendance and exhibitor numbers more than double on the inaugural event last year.
Among the Herefordshire defence & security sector companies showcasing products and services at the event were Global RadioData Communications, which works with specialist military organisations, emergency responders, government sectors and aid agencies and Skylon Park investor Xreach, which supplies highly secure communications solutions for military and security organisations.
Mark Pearce, managing director of the Hereford Enterprise Zone at Skylon Park, which also exhibited at the event as well as being a main sponsor, said: “We are absolutely delighted by the success of this year’s 3CDSE, which is playing such a key role in establishing our region as the home of hi-tech defence and security expertise in this country.
“The theme of this year’s event was innovation and the range of technology on display was exceptional. We saw everything from wearable tech to underwater drones and it was great to see so many companies from our region showcasing their work.”
Herefordshire companies Level Peaks Associates, Serbus Ltd and C4i Systems were also among the exhibitors at the event held at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground.
Mark added: “Skylon Park is the only Enterprise Zone in the country with a specific focus on security and defence and we were delighted with the volume of high-quality interest in the development opportunities we can offer potential investors.”
Other exhibitors included Midlands-based Intrepid Minds who showed off a mantra-shaped underwater drone, CDS Defence Support who showcased apps developed for the British Army which create virtual environments to reinforce lessons learned on the live firing range, and Smith Myers who demonstrated their award-winning flight-certified Artemis search and rescue location system.
Leading speakers included Richard Newbould of Vodafone who spoke about the Internet of Things, Mivy James of BAE Systems Applied Intelligence who presented a compelling story about data privacy, artificial intelligence and consumer wearable tech and Stuart Olden, of Formula One race team Williams.
The promotion of the Armed Forces Covenant was also a theme at the event which was run in partnership with The Manufacturers’ Organisation (EEF) and its dedicated defence sub-group, National Defence Industries (NDI), together with local business groups and government bodies which included the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Worcestershire Business Central, Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLEP). West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association also partnered with Harrison Clark Rickerbys to support the event.
