Motorsport to Defence
Motorsport to Defence Programme Partner | ||||
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MIA Technology Partners | ||||
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The Motorsport to Defence Initiative
Launched in 2007, the MIA’s Motorsport to Defence (M2D) Initiative is aimed at helping motorsport companies engage with the defence industry and maximise the business opportunities between the two.
What have we achieved?
Since the initiative’s inception, the MIA has successfully worked with defence companies and trade shows. We strive to introduce our members and the motorsport industry at large to the defence sector.
At various venues such as Lockheed Martin, Thales, Selex-ES, General Dynamics, Abbey Wood, BAE Systems, Bovington and MIRA, we’ve organised ‘Showcases of Capability’. Members have had the opportunity to introduce their products and services to defence engineers and key decision makers. We also regularly co-ordinate member visits to leading defence shows, including the DVD Show, and the DSEI Show.
Benefits gained by the defence industry
Both industries have benefited from the initiative but the defence sector in particular has been able to utilise motorsport’s unique skill set and expertise and find fast solutions to its engineering problems. Defence vehicles are aided by motorsport-derived radiators, charge coolers, gearboxes, brakes, suspension components and seals - all as a result of the MIA’s M2D Initiative. Likewise, Motorsport Valley® has been granted seasonally-variable revenue streams.
Nick Wills OBE - defence development director
In February 2014, we appointed Nick Wills OBE as defence development director. Awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to the army, Nick spent the last 10 years of his 30-year army career focusing on the process and delivery of research and development. This included trialling and acquiring land-based equipment and vehicles.
Under Nick’s direction, the M2D programme has gone from strength to strength most notably with the five in-house ‘Showcases of Capability’. We’ve also hosted a Motorsport Pavilion at DSEI 2015 and DVD 2016.
Further information
Please click on the following links:
Useful defence website links
- MOD Procurement Portal
- Defence Suppliers Service - Selling to the MOD
- Defence Contracts Online
- Athena
- Defence and Security Accelerator
- MAST
What value have you gained from the Motorsport to Defence Programme?
This video (published 2 February 2015) has MIA Members explaining the value they have gained from the Defence Showcase of Capabilities Programme.
For more information please contact
Defence Development Director - Nick Wills on +44 (0) 7881 950505 or email nick.wills@the-mia.com
Helen Jones on +44 (0)2476 692600 or email helen.jones@the-mia.com