Leaders Group – September Defence Investment: Securing Our Future and Driving Regional Growth Tuesday 8th September 2026 – 16:00 to 20:00 Pewterers Hall, Oat Ln, Barbican, London EC2V 7DE Guest Speakers Claire Benham Commercial Director Defence Infrastructure Organisation A senior sourcing and supply chain leader, able to operate in complex matrix organisations, along with greenfield and new start-ups to deliver significant business benefits. Category experience running teams and delivering benefits across IT, Non-IT and Outsourcing. Giles Ambrose Engineering, Technology and Strategy Director BAE Systems Giles Ambrose is an Engineering, Technology and Strategy Director with more than 18 years of experience across the UK defence sector. Having held leadership positions within BAE Systems and Babcock International, he has worked on submarine, warship and weapons programmes across the product lifecycle. His expertise spans engineering leadership, technology strategy, systems integration, capability development, and defence programme delivery. Giles combines deep technical knowledge with strategic business insight to drive innovation, organisational performance, and the successful delivery of complex defence capabilities. Oriel Petry Senior Vice President Airbus As Senior Vice President, I am part of the Airbus UK Executive Leadership team. Based in London, I lead the company’s external engagement and strategy in the UK and work closely with the Global Executive Committee. I do this for all parts of Airbus UK (Commercial; Defence and Space; and Helicopters) which employs around 12,000 people across 25 British sites. Lee Bruce Director of External Affairs ADS Group Guest Attendees John England General Manager, Actuation Systems UK Safran Jay Asher Head of Public Affairs Saab UK Jen Hartley MBE Assistant Director of Capital Investment and Growth Newcastle City Council Craig Peacock Director of Inward Investment Tees Valley Combined Authority Paul Bristow Mayor Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Ed Ackland Cyber and Specialist Operations Command Ministry of Defence Stephanie Howell Assistant Director Market Engagement Homes England Clare Roberts Institutional Affairs Director Leonardo, UK Martin Murray Leader Staffordshire County Council Gus Wiseman Director (UK Product) PATRIZIA SE James Neely Strategic Partnerships Director (Defence) National Composites Centre Iain Watson Lead Director, Lending National Wealth Fund MEMBER ORGANISATIONS JOIN LEADERS GROUP Membership to UKREiiF Leaders Group ranges in price depending on if you’re an SME or larger organisation – membership lasts for a 12-month period. Within the period there will be monthly in-person meetings primarily hosted at various venues including morning, lunch and dinner events with exclusive guests including Government Ministers. Complete the form below to receive further information on how to join UKREiiF’s Leaders Group.