At the defence and security trade body A|D|S 2011 annual dinner at the London Hilton on Park Lane, recently-elected A|D|S President Peter Rogers, Chief Executive of Babcock, addressed the 700 delegates.
Mr Rogers sought to demonstrate how the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries can boost the UK economy as well as help the Government meet its priorities for even greater value for money. As well as looking ahead to 2011 and what it may bring he also took time to look back at the first full year of operation of<br>A|D|S as the trade organisation representing these UK sectors that together employ around half a million people and generate over £60 billion per year to the British economy.
He summed up: "We have to help the Government through this rough patch by improving efficiency and, above all, by
innovating and adapting. If we don’t make that kind of behavioural investment [I mentioned a few moments ago], there might not be a major industry here in 20 years’ time. There are plenty of other countries all too ready to invest in the required capability and culture. The question to be answered is this: do we want to have thriving civil air, defence, security and space industries here in the UK in 2025 or not. If we do, let’s work together – with Government – to make that happen."
For the full speech visit the ADS website –
