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Motorsport to Defence

The Motorsport to Defence Initiative

The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) established the Motorsport to Defence (M2D) initiative, which was launched in 2007. This initiative is aimed at helping motorsport companies to engage with the defence industry and maximise the business opportunities between the two sectors. 

Since its launch, 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. In return, Motorsport Valley® has been granted seasonally-variable revenue streams.

We have supported members through working with leading defence primes and tier 1 suppliers, as well as at trade shows, such as DVD and DSEI. We strive to introduce our members and the motorsport industry to the defence sector.

The MIA is here to help our members navigate this industry, keep reading below to find out more about our programme and support services.

 

Motorsport to Defence Support 

Through MIA Membership, MIA members can engage with Nick Wills, Defence Development Director and Stu Olden, M2D Associate Advisor, who will provide initial meetings / calls to help businesses understand the opportunities within the defence sector. Between them they have a wealth of knowledge within this industry and have collectively supported businesses with unlocking new opportunities. 

Find out more about Nick and Stu below. 

 

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 acquisition process, and delivery, including trialling and acquiring land-based equipment and vehicles.

Under Nick’s direction, the M2D programme has gone from strength to strength, most notably through our in-house ‘Showcase of Capability’ events and Motorsport presence at DSEI and DVD.

With a career spanning over 40 years in engineering, commercial strategy, and business leadership, Stu brings a wealth of experience to SDO. A dynamic and results-driven leader, he specialises in helping engineering and technology organisations achieve their growth potential. His expertise in defence, aerospace, and technical sectors, combined with a strategic mindset and extensive industry network, makes him a trusted partner for business transformation and growth.

Stu’s career began with 26 distinguished years in the Army (REME), where he honed his technical expertise across operational, support, and procurement roles. Transitioning to the private sector, he drove commercial success in consulting engineering and product delivery businesses, notably securing multi-million-pound contracts at Williams Advanced Engineering. As CEO of SDO, he leads a growing team dedicated to driving business development, market expansion, and revenue growth for clients.

 

Following the initial meetings, should further consultancy be required, MIA members have access to reduced rate package support with both. 

Motorsport to Defence Slides from CTS 2025 Speakers' Corner

Nick and Stu led two M2D sessions on 15-16 October at the MIA CTS Show - click here to download a copy of the slides they used. These include key information and links for you to follow, which should provide you with some further support and funding opportunities to read up on. 

Useful defence website links

  • MOD Procurement Portal
    Doing business with defence: information for those looking to become a supplier or contractor.
  • Defence Contracts Online
    The official source of MOD contract opportunities, also termed ‘The Defence Sourcing Portal’, the new e-sourcing platform and one-stop-shop for contract opportunities. tendering and information on doing business with the Ministry of Defence. This new tendering capability was launched in February 2021.
  • Finding contracts with the MoD
    A list of places to find Defence contracts and funding in the technology and innovative research and development (R&D) space.
  • Neutral Vendor Framework (NVFi)
    Constellia facilitates the Neutral Vendor Framework for Innovation (NVfI) by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) to compliantly and transparently increase speed and value for money in digital and innovation procurement as part of the MOD’s procurement reform.
  • National Defence Industries Association (NDIA)
    NDIA champions and celebrates the UK's defence and security industry. They represent the sector's interests to government and champion the innovative, global and dynamic industry to the public.
  • Athena
    Access defence science and technology research via a central repository and submit your own research.
  • Defence and Security Accelerator
    The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) finds and funds exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity. The vision is for the UK to maintain its strategic advantage over its adversaries through the most innovative defence and security capabilities in the world.
  • Materials & Structures Technology Programme (MAST)
    The MAST Programme brings together more than 80 organisations to deliver a cost-effective, coherent and integrated materials and structures research programme that addresses the specific needs of defence and security.
  • ADS
    ADS is the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security and space, to enable prosperity and clean, secure growth for our nation.

  • MakeUK Defence
    Championing the UK’s defence supply chain sector, representing its interests to the government and wider industry.
  • Export Support
    UK Defence and Security support, as part of Department for Business and Trade
  • Providers portal - Hellios
    JOSCAR saves you the hassle of going through separate compliance checks for each customer. With a single profile, you'll be qualified to work with the many different Buyers in our community.   
  • Knowledge in Defence (KiD)
    KiD defines how we conduct, govern and control our defence acquisition process and is the primary bearer of all policy and guidance governing defence’s project delivery and commercial functions.
  • Innovate UK Innovation Exchange (iX) funded opportunities
    Through our extensive and diverse network, Innovate UK’s sector experts act as a matchmaker, facilitating the transfer of innovative solutions. They bridge the gap between the challenges faced by industry and the trailblazing companies and innovators already innovating towards solutions.

  • Team Defence Information
    A collaborative association that informs defence information policy and pilots new ways of working. Members gain invaluable business intelligence to align and enhance their products, services and working practices.

  • Cyber Essentials
    Cyber Essentials is a government-backed, industry-supported scheme to help organisations protect themselves against common online threats.

  • BattleLab
    The BattleLab is an innovation centre where you can work, meet and host events. It’s a place to collaborate with experts, test your ideas and bring them to life.

Upcoming activities

Our events calendar is updated regularly with new activities and events that we are hosting under our Motorsport to Defence Programme.


 

For more information please contact 

MIA Defence Development Director - Nick Wills - nick.wills@the-mia.com.

SDO Associates, CEO - Stu Olden - stuart.olden@sdoassociates.com.

Or contact the MIA team at the office 

Helen Jones - helen.jones@the-mia.com
Elinor Morris - elinor.morris@the-mia.com