Greater Manchester and North West SMEs explore growth and opportunity in the UK security and defence supply chain

  • Monday, January 26, 2026
  • Posted By The Growth Company

Greater Manchester and the North West reinforced its position as a growing hub for supporting the UK’s security and defence industry, as the city-region welcomed more than 250 SMEs, mid-tier firms, primes, academia and public sector partners to explore new opportunities in the sector.

Hosted by the Growth Company in partnership with the North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster (NWRDSC), the Security and Defence Supply Chains Network event showcased the region’s unique strengths across the security and defence landscape, providing practical advice to help SMEs navigate the supply chain and build relationships with the Ministry of Defence, Primes and Tier 1 suppliers to access the market.

Speakers and panel sessions highlighted the strong demand emerging across the sector and the significant opportunities for regional businesses to supply, innovate and grow, particularly across Greater Manchester’s advanced manufacturing, cyber and digital security sectors.

Delegates heard practical guidance on how SMEs can navigate the security and defence procurement landscape:

  • Start with the basics: understand where your business sits within multitier supply chains and avoid focusing solely on selling directly to primes.
  • Get the right certifications such as Cyber Essentials, ISO standards, and sector-specific accreditation via schemes like JOSCAR and Fit for Defence.
  • Join regional and national clusters, particularly NWRDSC, to access connections, capability mapping, procurement insight and tailored guidance.
  • Engage with mid-tier companies, which act as crucial bridges between SMEs, primes and MOD programmes.
  • Build a balanced portfolio, combining commercial work with long-term defence opportunities, which often span multiple years or decades.

Mark Hughes, CEO, the Growth Company said:

"Greater Manchester’s strong advanced manufacturing base and a nationally significant cyber and digital ecosystem means we are uniquely placed to deliver on the UK Government’s national security priorities.  

"SMEs are the backbone to this sector, and through this event and ongoing tailored business support, we can help SMEs navigate procurement and align their skills and innovations to capitalise on the opportunities across this market. Working with NWRDSC, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the wider business support ecosystem we will continue to enable SMEs to grow and thrive while further strengthening the North West’s position as a leading UK security and defence region."

Professor Andrew Schofield, Chair, North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster:

"It was really great to hold this event in Greater Manchester, here in the North West, which is the at the heart of the UK's defence and security industry. We’ve had clear messages from the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy, that call for procurement reform, innovation at pace, a whole-of-society approach to national resilience and the UK being an Engine for Growth. Crucially, they place SME inclusion at the heart of the MOD’s future plans - with new targets, support hubs, and regional growth initiatives designed to unlock the full potential of small businesses across the UK. This event provided a platform for SMEs to engage in discussion, build networks, and coordinate activities that will unlock economic opportunities and benefits for businesses operating across a range of sectors."