Yorkshire mayors Tracy Brabin, Luke Campbell, Oliver Coppard and David Skaith have joined forces to launch the Yorkshire Regional Defence & Security Cluster (YRDSC).
Unveiled in Wakefield, the cluster will act as a major engine for investment, innovation, and jobs.
Launched by Luke Campbell MBE, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, alongside the other Yorkshire mayors, the new cluster is set to cement Yorkshire as a leading player in the UK’s defence industry.
By coming together, the mayors are giving Yorkshire the ability to seize on the UK Government’s multi-billion-pound commitment to making defence a priority for national economic growth.
The member-led cluster will bridge the gap between global defence opportunities and Yorkshire’s highly capable network of small-and-medium businesses, advanced manufacturers, tech innovators, and world-class universities.
Membership for businesses based in Yorkshire will be entirely free, unlocking early access to Ministry of Defence programmes, tenders, and supply chain partnerships.
Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Campbell said: “This is about making better use of the strengths we already have across Yorkshire. The cluster brings together businesses, universities and local government so we can better understand what’s needed and how we can support national defence and security.
“Hull and East Yorkshire is ready to play its part. From Leconfield and the University of Hull to our ports, supply chains and industrial businesses, we have assets that matter to UK defence and resilience – this cluster can help connect them to the right opportunities.”
Andrew Butt, chair of the Yorkshire Regional Defence & Security Cluster, said: “Defence technology needs to develop at an accelerated pace. This cluster is perfectly placed to connect regional businesses, higher education, and government to solve real-world security challenges, giving Yorkshire firms a direct route to market.
“While Yorkshire is not traditionally home to massive military prime contractors, the region boasts an incredibly resilient and adaptable ecosystem of specialised businesses. The cluster will champion these local firms, focusing on high-growth sectors including digital tech, advanced manufacturing, cyber security, radio frequency systems, and operational logistics.”
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, added: “Regional defence and security clusters play an important role in the UK’s national security and economic resilience.
“By bringing together local government, industry, and higher education in a triple helix partnership, they help to grow regional defence and security sectors, develop the pipeline of innovative technologies that defence needs. Their work also connects small and medium-sized enterprises with the pathways, funding, and expertise required to get their capabilities into UK Defence.
“The launch of a regional defence and security cluster shows Yorkshire’s ambition to create more jobs and win more contracts from a rising defence budget. This model works nationwide and I encourage firms big and small to get involved.”
Managed directly through Yorkshire’s Combined Authorities, the YRDSC ensures that local business needs remain at the absolute heart of its strategy.
