The West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster (WM RDSC) has appointed its inaugural Advisory Board, bringing together senior expertise from business, defence, academia and innovation to support the continued development of the region’s defence and security ecosystem.

Delivered by West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), WM RDSC was launched in May 2026 as part of the Ministry of Defence-backed Regional Defence and Security Clusters programme.

The cluster is helping to bring together businesses, universities, innovation organisations and the wider public sector to strengthen collaboration, increase opportunities for SMEs, support innovation and technology development, and build stronger regional supply chains.

Its new Advisory Board will provide strategic advice, challenge and advocacy as this work develops, while helping to strengthen connections across the regional ecosystem and champion West Midlands capabilities nationally and internationally.

The Board will be chaired by Major General (Retired) Robin Anderton-Brown, Chair of Allium Associates Ltd and former Director of Capability at UK Strategic Command.

Professor Christopher ‘Kit’ Windows-Yule, Director of Innovation at the University of Birmingham, and Lieutenant Colonel John Tucker of Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land and the British Army Reserve have been appointed as Deputy Chairs.

 

Connecting regional strengths with national opportunity

The development of WM RDSC comes at a time of increased national focus on defence and security, creating opportunities for West Midlands businesses and institutions across areas including advanced manufacturing, engineering, cyber security and technology.

The region has significant capabilities across these sectors, alongside a strong base of SMEs, universities, research and innovation assets and major manufacturers.

WM RDSC provides a mechanism for connecting those strengths more effectively, helping organisations navigate the defence and security landscape, develop new relationships and identify opportunities for collaboration.

For WMGC, the cluster forms part of a wider approach to supporting high-growth sectors and connecting the region’s businesses and capabilities with investment and market opportunities.

 

The WM RDSC Advisory Board

The Advisory Board brings together experience from defence, manufacturing, engineering, cyber security, professional services, innovation and higher education. Alongside the Chair and Deputy Chairs, members are:

  • Samantha Brettell DL, Prevent Consultancy

  • Professor Peter Matthews, Keele University

  • Samantha Lewis, NMITE

  • Rowan Crozier, C Brandauer & Co Ltd

  • Elizabeth Williams, Gowling WLG

  • Bankie Williams, Greenlands Consulting

  • Jane Sommerville, Bowers & Jones Ltd

  • Phil Shaw, MTC

  • Giles Bond, QinetiQ

  • Joanna Cavan, UK Telecoms Lab

  • Jonathan Sword, Agility Cyber

  • Neil Donnelly, Somers Forge

The inaugural meeting of the Advisory Board is scheduled for September 2026.

 

Find out more about the West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster, its Advisory Board and opportunities to get involved at westmidsrdsc.co.uk.