Defence Disrupted - the UK's leading Defence innovation event produced by PUBLIC - is returning in 2026.
Join senior defence personnel, startups, primes, policymakers, and investors for a full day of discussion around one shared goal: to empower innovation in defence. Check out the highlights from our 2025 event here.
From Concept to the Frontline How can defence forces improve the pace and effectiveness of pull through to meet the needs of the warfighter?
The Capital Stack for Defence What does it take to crowd in the range of financial sponsors needed to transform the defence market, from VC through to traditional financial service institutions?
Strategic Sovereignty How should the UK balance the need for supply chain sovereignty with access to cutting edge capabilities?
Our Speakers for 2026
Rupert PearceUK National Armaments Director (NAD), UK MoD
John RidgeChief Adoption Officer, NATO Innovation Fund
Mivy JamesChief Technology Officer, UK MoD
Richard Nugeefmr. Chief of Defence People, UK MoD, and Chief Executive, Scar Free Foundation
Lars DürschlagManaging Director, Head of Technology & Defence Technology Advisory, Unicredit
Rob MerryweatherGroup Technology Director, BAE Systems
James GavinDeputy Director and Head of Technology Transition, UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), UK MOD
Adrian HoltFounding Defence Lead, Cosine
Denys DemkoEconomic Secretary, Embassy of Ukraine in the UK
Nicholas NelsonGeneral Partner, Archangel
Blythe CrawfordDirector, Tiberius Aerospace
Anna KnackAIDA Defence AI Policy Lead, Alan Turing Institute
Tim FoxFounder, Campbeltown Advisory
Ryan SheaManaging Director, PUBLIC
Rory WellsUK Country Director, Second Front
...and more to be announced!
Caroline Bellamy
CDO, UK Ministry of Defence
Caroline Bellamy joined MOD in May 2020 as the first Chief Data Offi cer, when the Defence Data Offic er was established. Caroline is leading the Defence Data Strategy and data transformation programme to underpin the realisation of “Data as a Strategic Asset” for Defence. As the Chief Data Officer, Caroline is driving towards a future where Defence will be able to exploit data in a fast, accurate and robust way. Data will be human and machine-ready enabling accelerated local, as well as pan-Defence exploitation ranging from back o ce reporting to battlespace planning. The importance of data capabilities, skills and integrity (security and ethical) is a core focus for Caroline, including eff ective cultural change and promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels. Prior to joining MOD, Caroline had a 30-year career in the “data industry” across the FTSE 100 and Public Sector. Caroline is experienced at executing major data transformations and champions data at Board level, defining and delivering enterprise wide data capabilities helping organisations unlock the power of data to realise commercial, economic and citizen benefits.
Anita Friend
Head of DASA
Anita Friend is the Head of the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) which finds and funds exploitable innovation for UK defence and security quickly and effectively, whilst boosting UK prosperity. In this role, she has placed strong emphasis on taking a collaborative approach across defence, security and industry – enhancing DASA’s service offering to deliver the best solutions for our customers and to help our suppliers grow their business. She has sought to ensure DASA finds ideas from a diverse range of sources and provides services which accelerate and facilitate the turning of great ideas into benefits for defence and our national security.
Anita joined DASA with over 10 years’ experience of working in National Security leadership roles in both Home Office and Cabinet Office. Before moving into the National Security field, Anita started her career in social research working in the private sector.
Outside of work, Anita enjoys spending time with her husband and young children, countryside walking and travel.
Charlie Forte
CIO, UK Ministry of Defence
Charles has 38 years of industry experience gained from leading IT globally as Deputy Group Global CIO at BP, as CEO of Global IT Services at Prudential and as InterimCIO at Thames Water. He has worked as an independent consultant helping businesses transform their ability to exploit digital technology.
Charles Forte was appointed the Chief Information Officer for the Ministry of Defence in January 2018. He is the primary advisor to the Defence Board on Information and Digital and is responsible for strategy and policy on the exploitation, operation, interoperability and protection of information and digital technology across the Ministry of Defence. This includes cyber security and resilience; the promotion of new ways of working, information technology-enabled innovation; and the delivery of effective IT services. Charles is a member of the Defence ExecutiveCommittee and the Strategic Command Executive Committee.
Clare Cameron
Director of Defence Innovation, UK Ministry of Defence
Clare is the Director of Defence Innovation in the Ministry of Defence. She is responsible for leading the innovation effort in Defence. This includes the policy and strategy for innovation, empowering an innovative culture, enabling the routes to innovation, and leading the Defence and Security Accelerator.
Prior to this, Clare was Deputy Director of Defence in the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. She was responsible for ensuring coherence across Government and providing advice to the Prime Minister on Defence issues including the defence budget, defence exports, defence investment decisions and the nuclear deterrent.
Clare was previously deputy director in MOD’s Operations Directorate, responsible for Special Forces’ operations, operational legal policy and intelligence policy.
Policy for military operations has been a theme throughout Clare’s career, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008/9. This has been balanced by financial scrutiny of MOD equipment programmes, time in Private Office and working in the Cabinet Office on the 2010 SDSR, space security and Prevent counter-terrorism.
Clare is married to Peter; they have a son at primary school and Clare is stepmother to Peter’s other two children. Clare read history at Durham and before starting work she taught at a secondary school in Malawi for six months and helped set up a charity promoting sustainable farming, for which she was the Treasurer for over 10 years.
Nick Elliott
CEO, Helsing UK
Nick Elliott is UK CEO of the European artificial intelligence company Helsing. A software product business operating exclusively in the defence and national security sector. Its mission is to attain technology leadership in support of our democracies.
Nick is an experienced senior business leader who has led major delivery organisations in government, defence and infrastructure. Most recently, as Director-General of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, he ran what has been described as the most successful component of the United Kingdom’s response to the covid-19 pandemic.
During an initial career as a British Army officer, he commanded a bomb disposal squadron and a combat engineer regiment on operations worldwide. In subsequent senior business roles, he has been responsible for delivering some of the biggest rail infrastructure projects in the UK and was Deputy CEO of Defence Equipment & Support, the professional acquisition and support organisation of the UK Ministry of Defence, Nick is a non-executive director with the global programme management consultancy Turner & Townsend and has previously served as a non-executive director on the Board of the Submarine Delivery Agency and as a Council Member of the Rail Supply Group. He is a military reservist in the Sta Corps, a reserve unit of business leaders who provide specialist advice to the Armed Forces.
Nick Elliott
CEO, Helsing UK
Nick Elliott is UK CEO of the European artificial intelligence company Helsing. A software product business operating exclusively in the defence and national security sector. Its mission is to attain technology leadership in support of our democracies.
Nick is an experienced senior business leader who has led major delivery organisations in government, defence and infrastructure. Most recently, as Director-General of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, he ran what has been described as the most successful component of the United Kingdom’s response to the covid-19 pandemic.
During an initial career as a British Army officer, he commanded a bomb disposal squadron and a combat engineer regiment on operations worldwide. In subsequent senior business roles, he has been responsible for delivering some of the biggest rail infrastructure projects in the UK and was Deputy CEO of Defence Equipment & Support, the professional acquisition and support organisation of the UK Ministry of Defence, Nick is a non-executive director with the global programme management consultancy Turner & Townsend and has previously served as a non-executive director on the Board of the Submarine Delivery Agency and as a Council Member of the Rail Supply Group. He is a military reservist in the Sta Corps, a reserve unit of business leaders who provide specialist advice to the Armed Forces.
Caroline Bellamy
CDO, UK Ministry of Defence
Caroline Bellamy joined MOD in May 2020 as the first Chief Data Offi cer, when the Defence Data Offic er was established. Caroline is leading the Defence Data Strategy and data transformation programme to underpin the realisation of “Data as a Strategic Asset” for Defence. As the Chief Data Officer, Caroline is driving towards a future where Defence will be able to exploit data in a fast, accurate and robust way. Data will be human and machine-ready enabling accelerated local, as well as pan-Defence exploitation ranging from back o ce reporting to battlespace planning. The importance of data capabilities, skills and integrity (security and ethical) is a core focus for Caroline, including eff ective cultural change and promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels. Prior to joining MOD, Caroline had a 30-year career in the “data industry” across the FTSE 100 and Public Sector. Caroline is experienced at executing major data transformations and champions data at Board level, defining and delivering enterprise wide data capabilities helping organisations unlock the power of data to realise commercial, economic and citizen benefits.
Major General Tom Copinger-Symes Cbe
Director of Military Digitisation, UK Strategic Command
Tom spent his early career with The Rifles on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and in operational and strategy posts at the Permanent Joint Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence.
For the past 10 years, he has focused on how the Army and Defence can make better use of its data and information, whether in supporting traditional warfighting or employed as a weapon in its own right - especially in the context of ‘sub-threshold’ or ‘grey zone’ competition. This has included command at both Brigade (1 ISR Bde) and Division (FTC - now 6th (UK) Div), Data-Driven Defence Tom spent his early career with The Rifles on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and in operational and strategy posts at the Permanent Joint Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence. In 2019 he took up his current post, newly created to accelerate Defence’s Digital Transformation and its adoption and exploitation of data and digital technology. He led Defence’s Digital proposition in the 20/21 Integrated Review and is now responsible for delivering a singular, secure and modern Digital Backbone for Defence, as well as leading the development of the Army’s Information Manoeuvre concept
In Aug 19 he took up his current post, newly created to accelerate Defence’s Digital Transformation and its adoption and exploitation of data and digital technology. He led Defence’s Digital proposition in the 20/21 Integrated Review and is now responsible for delivering a singular, secure and modern Digital Backbone for Defence, as well as developing a federated software enterprise (the Digital Foundry, including the Defence AI Centre), and the Defence Digital Service.
Marc Warner
CEO & Co-Founder, Faculty
Marc is the CEO and Co-Founder at Faculty. He co-founded Faculty in the belief that the benefits of AI should extend to everyone, and has since overseen the growth of Faculty to one of Europe’s leading AI companies.
He has led many data science projects, with clients ranging from multinational companies like EasyJet and Siemens to the UK government and the NHS. Before Faculty, Marc was a Marie Curie Fellow in Physics at Harvard University, specialising in quantum sensing.
Outside of Faculty, he advises the government via the AI Council. He has a PhD in Quantum Computing and a degree in Physics from Imperial College London.
Joe Robinson
CEO Defence and Security, Improbable
Joe leads our global defence and national security business. He’s focused on ensuring that all the work we do contributes meaningfully to the national security of our nations and their allies in the face of increasing global competition and evolving threats. He brings a profound strategic understanding of these challenges, having served for a decade in the armed forces, commanding at various levels and deploying on multiple operations.
He has previously held roles advising governments on technology adoption, and joined Improbable from the University of Oxford where he studied and lectured about foreign policy and global strategic trends.
Rebecca Warren
Senior Policy Advisor, NATO, Polar Regions & Euro-Atlantic Security, Cabinet O
Commander Rebecca Warren is a warfare offi cer in the Royal Navy, specialising in oceanography and meteorology.
She has spent much of her recent career working on naval policy and strategy in the Ministry of Defence.
She is currently on loan to the Cabinet O ffice, where she advises on Defence, NATO and the polar regions.
Lucia Retter
Research Leader in Defence & Security, RAND Europe
Lucia Retter is a research leader at RAND Europe and co-directs RAND Europe's Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition. Her research focuses on understanding the factors driving government strategy, policy and decision-making at the nexus between security, influence and prosperity, including the benefits, trade-o s and risks associated with different capability development programmes.
Recent work includes studies for the UK Ministry of Defence to help frame and inform its Climate Change and Sustainability strategic approach, work for UK Government clients in support of the national and defence space strategies, a series of studies for the UK Government on the options for the future UK combat air sector, a study on energy and environment factors pertinent to military capability planning and a large study for the European Commission on skills needed by the EU defence industry now and in the future.
Lucia holds an M.A.in international relations and international economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she specialised in economic policy, and a B.A. in modern languages from Clare College, University of Cambridge.
John Orr-Hanna
Chief Intelligence O
John-Orr is the Chief Intelligence Offi cer at Crisp, a Real-time Risk Intelligence company that protects brands, assets and people from reputational damage, security threats and online harms.
John-Orr brings 15 years of sector experience in defence, security and safety to Crisp, which identifies the risk signals embedded within the digital chatter of fringe bad actor groups and online communities to help customers anticipate what they’ll do next.
Crisp contributes to the safe, daily online experiences of over two billion users, including an estimated 450 million children - across harms such as Hate, CT and Mis/Dis Information, supporting governments, platforms and blue chip enterprises, in 50+ languages.
Puneet Chhabra
CTO & Co-founder, ACUA Ocean
Puneet is a tech Leader and innovator with an ethos of trying to link science and good practice to make a better world! He is an experienced CTO and deep-tech entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in systems, sensing and engineering.
He specialises in sensing and software with a special focus on LiDAR, Radar and Sonar technologies, filing multiple patents on signal processing and sensor systems. In his most recent role, he provides technology leadership to companies that brings together a world-class engineers and scientists to solve real-world problems, e.g., sub-surface mapping and building autonomous clean-tech solutions for the defence security and maritime sector.
He has a PhD in advanced single photon LiDAR and Sonar technologies. Previously, he has worked in the defence sector at the Advanced Technology Centre, BAE Systems as a Higher Scientist with a focus on building image processing and AI based products for autonomous vehicles.
Hanna Croft
Senior Consultant, Rowden Technologies
Hannah Croft is a Senior Consultant at Rowden Technologies. She has Masters with Distinction in Security, Terrorism, and Insurgency from the University of Leeds and has held past positions at the Terrorism and Political Violence Association, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), and Defence iQ. She publishes frequently about defence enterprise transformation and the intersection between culture, concepts of operation, and technological innovation. Rowden Technologies Ltd is an independent digital systems integrator based in Bristol: our mission is to redefine our customers’ expectations by delivering better digital technologies, faster and more cost effectively.
Alexandre Crépault
Commercial Strategy Manager at Climate X
Prior to moving to the UK, Alexandre lead commercial strategies for internationally renowned consumer brands at Coca Cola and AB InBev.
Mixing both experience & passion, Alex is driving the adoption of climate risk integration across multiple industries and international markets for Climate X; one of the most in-demand, venture-backed companies in the world, quantifying the impacts of climate change through location specific risk ratings and loss estimates.
Christian Hernandez
Founding Partner, 2150
Christian is a technologist and experienced venture capitalist. Most recently, Christian founded venture capital firm 2150 in 2020 to invest in technology companies that seek to sustainably reimagine and reshape the urban environment. 2150’s investment thesis focuses on major unsolved problems across what it calls the ‘Urban Stack’, which comprises every element of the built environment, from the way our cities are designed, constructed and powered, to the way people live, work and are cared for. Christian has held leadership roles through the scale-up phase of some of the world’s largest technology companies, notably as head of international business development at Facebook and head of new markets at Google. He holds a BA in economics from Duke University, an MBA from The Wharton School and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum
Caroline Bellamy
CDO, UK Ministry of Defence
Caroline Bellamy joined MOD in May 2020 as the first Chief Data Offi cer, when the Defence Data Offic er was established. Caroline is leading the Defence Data Strategy and data transformation programme to underpin the realisation of “Data as a Strategic Asset” for Defence. As the Chief Data Officer, Caroline is driving towards a future where Defence will be able to exploit data in a fast, accurate and robust way. Data will be human and machine-ready enabling accelerated local, as well as pan-Defence exploitation ranging from back o ce reporting to battlespace planning. The importance of data capabilities, skills and integrity (security and ethical) is a core focus for Caroline, including eff ective cultural change and promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels. Prior to joining MOD, Caroline had a 30-year career in the “data industry” across the FTSE 100 and Public Sector. Caroline is experienced at executing major data transformations and champions data at Board level, defining and delivering enterprise wide data capabilities helping organisations unlock the power of data to realise commercial, economic and citizen benefits.
Mircea Geoană
NATO Deputy Secretary General
Mircea Geoană became NATO Deputy Secretary General in October 2019, after a distinguished domestic and international career. Mr Geoană is the first Deputy Secretary General from Romania, and the first from any of the countries that joined the Alliance after the end of the Cold War. He was born in Romania on 14 July 1958. He studied at the Polytechnic University in Bucharest, the Faculty of Law of the University of Bucharest, the Ecole Nationale d’Administration in Paris, and he holds a PhD from the Economic Studies Academy of Bucharest. Mr Geoană has served as a diplomat and a politician, and in 2009 was his party’s candidate to be President of Romania. Mr Geoană is a strong advocate of transatlantic integration and has held a number of international positions, including OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in 2001 and personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Georgia in 2005. He is President and founder of the Aspen Institute Romania and has published extensively on domestic and international affairs. In 2000, he was made a Commander of the National Order, The Star of Romania. He has also been awarded the French Legion d’Honneur and the Italian Stella della Solidarieta. Mr Geoană is married to Mihaela, an architect by training and former President of the Romanian Red Cross. They have two children, Ana Maria and Alexandru. He is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
Defence Disrupted 2025 in numbers
20
+
speakers
150
+
attendees
400
+
applications to attend
In 2025 we had over 20 expert speakers join us, from MOD officials to leading investors to brilliant UK innovators.
Over 150 senior delegates from across the defence sector joined us in-person for a day of closed-door conversation.
We've been thrilled to see the level of interest in this year's edition and can't wait to grow next year for a bigger and better event.
Past Speakers / 2025
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCBfmr. Chief of Defence Staff, UK MOD
Vice Admiral Andy KyteChief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS), UK MOD
Dina Kakarasfmr. Deputy Director Commercial – Head of Software Data AI & Cloud Services and Head of Commercial X, UK MOD
Caroline CooperCommand Warrant Officer, UK Space Command
Dr Rich DrakeGeneral Manager (UK & Europe), Anduril Industries
General Jarmo Lindbergfmr. Chief of Defence, Finnish Defence Forces
Will McMannersFounder & Managing Partner, MD One Ventures
Colonel Stephen HarmerHealth, Performance and Wellbeing lead, British Army HQ
Sebastian von RibbentropFounding Partner, JOIN Capital
Whether you are a warfighter, official, investor or industry leader, it is time to strengthen our commitment to engage with innovative digital technologies in defence - preparing us for security in the future while engaging with the real threats we face today.
Tickets are always free for public sector attendees, startups, investors, academics, and NGOs.
If your organisation would like to explore partnership opportunities, including our current sponsor packages, please get in touch with our team below to request further information on themes, the agenda, attendee breakdown, and pricing.
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