In today’s world, economic policy and national security are increasingly connected, and this shift is reshaping the business environment for SMEs in the wider defence ecosystem.

This session, led by trade expert Shanker Singham, and moderated by Dr Keith Dear, will explain how global trends like protectionism, subsidies, and supply-chain pressure directly affect smaller companies. It will highlight practical ways SMEs can build resilience through smarter trade choices, supplier diversification, and a clearer understanding of the strategic value they provide.

Shanker will also explore how adversaries and allies view supply chains, and what this means for SME risk management and growth. Finally, this thought-provoking discussion will also ask a fundamental question for the decade ahead, how do we price in security and resilience as a core component of national competitiveness?

• Gain clear insight into how SMEs can navigate shifting trade policy, security pressures, and global competition.
• Understand the wider geopolitical and market context and how international dynamics directly shape risks and opportunities for your business.
• Take away practical guidance on how to strengthen your positioning and improve your resilience within broader defence and technology supply chains.

Featuring:

• Shanker Singham, International Trade Expert 
• Dr Keith Dear,  Former Expert Adviser to the Prime Minister on Science, Technology, Space, and Modernising Defence