The British Business Bank and the Development Bank of Wales have agreed a joint sponsorship at the inaugural Defence, Security and Resilience Cymru (DSR-Cymru) conference.
Taking place at ICC Wales in Newport on 3–4 September 2026, the conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and over 60 exhibitors, bringing together companies, government and finance providers operating across a market that is seeing sustained public and private investment.
The Development Bank and British Business Bank will support the ‘Meet the Investor’ element of the programme, which is being developed to connect businesses with funders and investors active in the defence, security and resilience sectors.
The investor programme will focus on businesses with scale-up potential, including firms working in dual-use technologies, cyber, advanced engineering and wider resilience infrastructure. It is intended to provide opportunities for companies to engage directly with investors, explore funding options and build relationships across the supply chain.
Through their joint sponsorship, the British Business Bank and the Development Bank of Wales will support a structured investor engagement programme, including pitch sessions and introductions between businesses and funding providers.
The partnership builds on existing collaboration between the two organisations and reflects a shared focus on improving access to finance and developing a pipeline of investment-ready businesses in Wales.
Giles Thorley Comments:
Giles Thorley, chief executive of the Development Bank of Wales, said: “The event is taking place against a backdrop of increased focus on defence and national resilience. Recent policy announcements, including the Strategic Defence Review and wider investment plans, point to sustained growth in spending across defence, security and associated technologies. Wales has been identified within this landscape as a region with strengths in areas such as advanced systems and emerging technologies.
“We’re here to support business growth in Wales and ensure innovative companies can access the finance they need to grow and scale. By connecting businesses with investors, we’re helping to strengthen the pipeline of investable opportunities and support the development of high-growth sectors.”
Jessica Phillips-Harris Comments:
Jessica Phillips-Harris, Director, Wales, British Business Bank Local Growth Team, said: “Defence, security and resilience are areas of increasing economic importance across the UK with an increase in private investment into defence-related and dual-use sectors, particularly in areas such as AI, cyber security and resilience technologies, creating a growing pipeline of companies seeking access to capital.
“This partnership provides an opportunity to engage directly with businesses operating in these sectors and to support improved access to finance as they grow.”
Phil Jones Comments:
Phil Jones, Chief Executive of Business in Focus, the event organiser, said: “Bringing the British Business Bank and the Development Bank of Wales together within the Meet the Investor programme ensures that businesses attending DSR-Cymru have direct access to significant sources of finance and expertise. Their combined presence strengthens the ability of the conference to connect companies with the investors and funders they need to move from opportunity to growth.”
The conference is being organised by Business in Focus and will include a programme of keynote sessions, exhibitions and networking activity alongside the investor element.
