Defence Infrastructure Conference 2025
Tuesday 1st July 2025
One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
Tuesday 1st July 2025
One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
We are pleased to announce the inaugural, MOD Official, Defence Infrastructure Conference which will take place at the beautiful One Great George Street venue in Westminster (The Institution of Civil Engineers) on Tuesday 1st July 2025.
Delegate places are free of charge for senior Infrastructure professionals employed within the MOD and Central Government. Please do not book a place if your role does not fit these criteria as your place may be rescinded*.
“Defence infrastructure exists to enable our armed forces to deliver military capability, force generation, and force projection. This means that our armed forces can protect the UK, project the UK’s global influence and promote UK prosperity. Defence is undertaking the largest renewal of Defence infrastructure in a generation, investing across the UK and overseas in modern accommodation, office space, headquarters, hangers, specialist facilities and more. This will deliver on Defence’s ambition set out in the Strategic Defence Review, and means we offer opportunities to develop surplus land for other purposes such as housing, retail, energy, and community. The Defence Infrastructure Conference 2025 will explore the way ahead, look at the challenges and opportunities to deliver Defence infrastructure, and to contribute to HMGs Plan for Change.”
A hot buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day and the conference will be followed by a drinks reception to continue your networking.
Tuesday 1st July 2025, One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
08.30 – 09.30 Registration, refreshments & networking in the Great Hall
09.30 – 10.30 Plenary session:
Chair’s welcome
The Forgotten DLOD? Why Infrastructure Matters in Modern Defence Strategy – Within the UK Ministry of Defence’s capability framework, infrastructure remains the often-overlooked Defence Line of Development (DLoD), despite being foundational to military effectiveness. This plenary session will delve into the critical role infrastructure plays in supporting the other DLoDs—training, equipment, personnel, and more. By recognizing infrastructure as a core element, the Ministry of Defence can enhance operational readiness, resilience, and sustainability across all defence sectors. Join us to explore strategic approaches to reintegrate infrastructure into capability planning, ensuring it supports emerging technologies and future operational demands, while fostering collaboration and innovation.
Introduction to Defence Infrastructure
Plenary Keynote address
10.30 – 11.00 Refreshments & Networking
11.00 – 11.30 Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry presentation
11.30 – 12.00 Recapitalising the defence estate – This Defence Infrastructure panel will examine how to introduce new funding models to modernise the defence estate. Discussions will focus on leveraging public-private partnerships, alternative investment strategies, and collaborative financing to address aging facilities, support sustainability, enhance personnel welfare, and ensure defence infrastructure meets current and future operational demands efficiently.
12.00 – 12.30 Reimagining Defence Infrastructure – The Government is committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and SDR25 sets out ambitious plans for new defence programmes. Present-day defence infrastructure procurement and project management is characterised by risk mitigation, linear governance, adherence to procedure at the expense of delivery, and limited and often late short-term investment. How can we re-balance this to align projects with outcomes, while supporting a declining client-resource skill base? Defence Reform is well placed to enable and lead a transformational approach to national infrastructure delivery this year. Join us to discuss what it truly takes to make it an Engine for Growth.
12.30 – 13.20 Lunch and Networking
13.20 – 13.50 Technology and Innovation – Panel members will set out key infrastructure technology, collaboration and innovation approaches in their respective areas, and how this helps to deliver vital defence infrastructure. Panel members are keen to hear your views and approaches and share your learning.
13.50 – 14.20 HM Government Infrastructure Strategy – Alison will provide an overview of HMG’s 10 year infrastructure strategy (detail to depend on publication ahead of conference), what it does, and how it relates to Defence. Alison will then hold a Q&A session and is keen to hear from you.
14.20 – 14.50 Defence: Sustainability as a competitive advantage – This panel will examine how sustainability and resilience are being embedded as core components of defence capability across infrastructure and estates. Building on RUSI’s Defence: Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage roundtable series and the Strategic Defence Review 2025, the session will explore how sustainability is no longer viewed solely through an environmental lens, but as a strategic enabler of operational effectiveness and military agility. With perspectives from both government and industry, the discussion will reflect on progress to date, highlight emerging expectations, and consider how the sector can begin implementing these ambitions to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and resilient in the face of future challenges.
14.50 – 15.15 Refreshments and Networking
15.15 – 15.45 How to develop land to enable organisations and their capabilities – Panel member will share views from their respective areas on the role land and infrastructure development plays in unlocking the potential of their organisation, and how this enables Defence capabilities. Panel members are keen to hear your views and approaches and share your learning.
15.45 – 16.15 Interview with Permanent Secretary
16.15 – 16.20 Chair’s closing remarks
16.20 – 17.20 Drinks reception in Kendal’s Bar (lower ground floor) – kindly sponsored by Mitie
Agenda may be subject to change and will be updated regularly
Defence Infrastructure Conference 2024 – Tuesday 1st July 2025, One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
Maria Eagle MP
Minister of State
(Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry)
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Maria Eagle is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry in the Ministry of Defence since July 2024. She has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Garston and Halewood, now Liverpool Garston, since 1997.
Under Tony Blair, Eagle was a junior minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education and Skills and Northern Ireland Office. She was Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice and Government Equalities Office under Gordon Brown.
Following the 2010 general election, Eagle became Shadow Solicitor General for England and Wales. She served in the Shadow cabinet as Shadow Transport Secretary, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Shadow Defence Secretary and finally Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary. She returned to the frontbench as Shadow Minister for Procurement in 2023.
Maria studied Philosophy, politics and economics at Pembroke College, Oxford and Law at the College of Law, London. After graduating with her law degree, she worked as an articled clerk and solicitor in both London and Liverpool.
David Williams
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Defence
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David Williams was appointed as MOD Permanent Secretary in April 2021.
He was appointed Second Permanent Secretary for the duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in March 2020.
David was appointed as Director General of Finance at the Department of Health on 16 March 2015. The role became Director General of Finance and Group Operations in July 2016.
Previously he was Director General of Finance at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) where he has held a number of senior posts including: Director Financial Management, Director Equipment Resources and Director Financial Planning & Security
Vice Admiral Andy Kyte CB FCILT
Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS)
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Vice Admiral Andy Kyte was appointed as the Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS) with effect from September 2023. He is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of a cross-cutting, pan-Defence strategy for Support, a c. £16-billion/annum enterprise covering every facet of Logistics, Engineering and Equipment Support.
A career logistician, he has over 38 years’ service, including operational tours in Northern Ireland, the Arabian Gulf and Afghanistan. Previous appointments include Head of Defence Logistic Operations and Command of the High Readiness Joint Force Logistic HQ. In 2018 he was appointed as the 2* Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (ACDS) (Support Operations) where he was responsible for the provision of strategic level policy, planning and direction in support of current and contingent operations. His tenure was dominated by the Support challenges created by BREXIT, COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Prior to assuming the post of CDLS he led a study for the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), focused on increasing Defence outputs.
Vice Admiral Andy Kyte is a graduate of the Higher Command and Staff Course and the London Business School. He holds an MA in Defence Studies and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He was appointed a Companion of the Bath in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List for leadership of Defence’s response to the COVID pandemic. He is the Chair of the Association of Royal Navy Officers, and its sister organisation, the Royal Navy Officers Charity.
Sherin Aminossehe
Director of Infrastructure
UK Ministry of Defence
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Sherin became the Ministry of Defence’s first Director of Infrastructure in August 2019, responsible for the strategic oversight of both global and domestic infrastructure and the Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio worth over £5bn. She is also currently the MOD Race Champion, where her aim is to promote and champion ethnic diversity in the department, supporting colleagues from different backgrounds.
Previously she was Head of Commercial Office business at Lendlease, where she was responsible for a range of regeneration projects, including the office and leisure components of International Quarter London in Stratford, Silvertown and Euston, with a gross development value of over £5bn. She also led the company’s social impact strategy. In Whitehall, she held the dual role of Head of Government Property Unit and Head of Property Profession and Function for the Civil Service. She led, devised and executed the property strategy for government, looking at how they could use their portfolios effectively to create growth as well as saving over £1bn in running costs and £3.6bn in capital receipts. Through the creation of the One Public Estate programme, she has also been a strong part of the Government’s social change agenda with a particular focus on creating more homes and jobs.
She is an architect by background and has led large scale infrastructure and regeneration projects around the globe. Finally, Sherin is also a trustee of the Imperial War Museum and has won the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the inaugural Real Estate, Infrastructure and Construction Category. She has been in the Property Week Power 100, 40 under 40 and Bisnow’s 51 Most Influential Women in UK Real Estate. Recently she was awarded an honorary doctorate from UCEM for contributions to the built environment.
Nigel Ward
Head, Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio
Military Strategic HQ
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Nigel Ward is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the defence sector. Since 2019, he has held the position of Head of the Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio, where he has spearheaded the achievement of substantial cost savings. Nigel is renowned for his innovative approach to procurement and approvals processes, which have been instrumental in supporting the successful delivery of the Portfolio’s objectives.
With a strong background in defence, Nigel previously served as the Operations Director at BAE Systems Submarines, overseeing the construction of the first three Astute class submarines. His expertise led him to Australia, where he assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer for a private defence company. In this capacity, Nigel was responsible for the construction and refurbishment of warships for the Australian and New Zealand navies. Upon his return to the United Kingdom, Nigel ventured into property development before transitioning to the Civil Service in 2012. Joining the UK Hydrographic Office as Chief Operating Officer, Nigel brought his strategic vision and leadership skills to the forefront, further solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and results-driven professional in the defence industry.
Conference Chair: Tim Burke
Editor
Estates Gazette
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Tim Burke joined Estates Gazette as deputy editor in July 2019, before which he was property editor at Financial News, a Dow Jones publication.
Dr Deborah Allen
Group Director Climate, Environment & Infrastructure
BAE
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Deborah joined BAE Systems in 2001. She was instrumental in establishing the standards for ethical business conduct in BAE Systems and across the Defense Sector. Now, as Group Director of Governance, Conduct & Sustainability, her role encompasses the many and varied aspects arising from the Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) issues affecting the company. She works closely with the Company’s executive and Board to drive the ESG agenda in BAE Systems.
Dr Sarah Ashbridge
Director – Research and Engagement
SA Consultancy
Andrew Bannister
National Key Accounts Manager
SCAPE
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Andrew joined SCAPE in 2015 after twenty years in construction consultancy, four years in the European motor industry and a spell in the NHS. His role is to proactively support clients in achieving value for money across their capital programme, whilst also helping them to deliver with efficiency, speed and the best community outcomes possible.
Andrew is an expert on multidisciplinary multi-sector projects having worked extensively for clients in Education, Health, Defence and Local Government, as well as many clients in Residential, Commercial and Industrial property. He is also a Chartered Environmentalist and an expert in Sustainable Construction.
Alison Baptiste CBE
Director of Public and Security Services
National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA)
Dr Ann Bicknell
Senior People and Organisations Consultant
Arup
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As a triple Chartered and Registered Coaching, Organisational Psychologist and Consultant, Ann specialises in developing decision-making capacity and collective capability building for multi-stakeholder projects and in response to an array of resourcing, funding and governance challenges. This develops the day-to-day operating capability in how to design for purpose-driven Collaboration frameworks on regional and national programmes, and which are aligned with best practice principles including ICE Project 13, ISO44001 and UNSDG17.
Ann works across defence, environment, transport, with global corporates and on the human due diligence elements of business transactions in energy and utilities. Ann teaches on a number of professional programmes, facilitates industry networks and regularly publishes thought leadership for industry and academia.
Ann advocates for ‘impact’ receiving more attention than ‘compliance’ to ensure a focus on large-scale outcomes as opposed to short term deliverables. This is much harder to stand-up than it sounds and is something that requires Deliberate Collaboration™. In no way can this be regarded as a passive outcome and Ann has recently published a 7-step method for standing up Partnerships and integrated ways of working through Embedded Coaching™ and on Enterprise Leadership Capability™ as the Leadership capability of the future.
James Clare
Director of Climate Change and Sustainability
Ministry of Defence
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James is the Director of Climate Change and Environment (CCE) in the UK MOD. His key environmental responsibilities cover delivering the Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Ambitions, ensuring that Defence is adapting and resilient to the impact of climate change as well as working to improve and protect the environment. Additionally, James is also responsible for climate security policy and looking at the direct and indirect impact that climate is having both on Defence force structure as well as the causes of instability across the globe. Since joining the MOD in 2003 he has worked across the Department in DE&S, Air Command and Head Office. He has been deployed to Afghanistan as the Policy Advisor to Commander Task Force Helmand, on Herrick 10, spent two years as Private Secretary to the Chief of the Air Staff and undertaken a secondment to Lloyds Bank where he developed and supported their approach to governing agile transformation programmes.
Major General Richard Clements CBE
Director Army Basing and Infrastructure
British Army
Jayne Dale CEng MIChemE
Senior Director, Defence
Arcadis
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Jayne Dale is a Chartered Chemical Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in engineering, project leadership, and business development. As Senior Director in Arcadis’ Defence & Security Growth Team, she manages a pipeline of opportunities with clients including the DIO, dstl and DE&S. Jayne began her career commissioning oil refineries globally before leading multi-discipline engineering teams on major projects and transitioning into sales leadership. A passionate STEM ambassador, mentor, and advocate for inclusion and diversity, she actively supports Women in Nuclear and Women in Defence. Based in North Yorkshire, Jayne enjoys the outdoors and supporting her sons’ rugby activities.
James Davis ACA
Managing Director
KBS Maritime
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James Davis is strategic business executive with more than 20-years of experience within the Defence and Infrastructure sectors.
James is the Managing Director of KBS Maritime, a joint venture company between BAE Systems and KBR, established in 2021 to meet the needs of Portsmouth Naval Base (PNB) and wider defence establishments.
A collaborative leader, James is committed to improving Enterprise outcomes, working with Navy Command, DE&S and the DIO to digitally transform the management and delivery of infrastructure programmes and services. As a measure of success, the joint team are on track to double outputs from the PNB infrastructure programme in FY ‘25/26 compared to the prior year.
Prior to forming KBS Maritime, James held Strategy and Transformation Board positions at BAE Systems Maritime & Land. He was part of the M&A team that consolidated the UK’s Warship design, build and through-life support industry under a long-term arrangement with the MoD.
Trained as a Chartered Accountant at Ernst & Young, James went on to specialise in Project Finance, forming their Defence team. During this period, James led a number of successful defence PFI/PPP programmes, including Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft, Strategic Sealift and Field Electrical Power Supplies, acting as financial and commercial advisor to both the MoD and private sector consortia.
James lives in Ripley with his wife and daughter, who can now beat him at tennis.
Alexis Field
MPP Programme Director NADES
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
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Alexis is the Infrastructure Programme Director, leading a portfolio of projects across the entire estate for the Navy, DE&S and Air infrastructure Programmes.
Iain Greenlees OBE
Infrastructure Leadership Advisor
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With a distinguished 50-year career in Defence, Iain Greenlees is a Command experienced Programme Director and Engineer who brings deep expertise in leading complex infrastructure portfolios, particularly in maritime environments. His career spans over 25 years at board level, where he has driven best practice across Asset Management and P3M disciplines, consistently delivering outcomes against demanding timelines.
Iain has built and led multi-functional teams and delivery partnerships across both industry and public sector landscapes, earning a reputation for navigating complex stakeholder environments and influencing at the highest levels. His strategic leadership has enabled transformation in governance and financial frameworks, accelerating decision-making and unlocking delivery potential.
Committed to sustainable, value-focused outcomes, Iain remains dedicated to supporting clients with visible, informed leadership that cultivates high-performing teams – even in the most fragile settings. As an SC Cleared advisor, he continues to contribute trusted insight and operational depth to some of the UK’s most critical Defence infrastructure challenges.
Nigel Herbert
Head of Practice – Asset Optimisation
Arcadis
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Nigel is a degree-qualified mechanical engineer and MBA with 25 years of expertise in PFI/PPP, specialising in defence and public sector infrastructure. He has a proven track record of leading real estate and FM consultancies, providing strategic advice to optimise complex estates. A recognised thought leader in the industry, Nigel has authored technical articles on FM and PFI, shaping best practices and policies for government bodies.
Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl
Founder / CEO
e50K
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Founded in 2021 by Dr. Elizabeth Newman-Earl, a defence spouse and expert in the effects of militarisation on defence families, e50K is an Armed Forces Network with a twist and works to reduce the discrepancies between civilian and Defence life for Defence family members in unique ways. Since 2021 e50K has paid over £675,000 in wages to Defence Spouses, created two successful community projects and worked on £16.1bn of Social Value procurement. e50K C.I.C. (referring to the approximately 50,000 Defence families living in MoD Service Family Accommodation) is a female-led CIC comprising two sister companies: a social value SME e50K Strategic Advisory and a VCSE e50K Communities.
Andrea Nixon
Head of Capability
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Helena Rivers
Energy Transition Lead, EURI
AECOM
Major General Andy Sturrock
Director of Strategy and Plans
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Nora Taylor
Places Client Development Director
Arcadis
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Nora leads client development across the Places business at Arcadis, which focuses on built assets where people live, work, and play. Her team operates across four key market sectors: Technology, Industrial Manufacturing, Property & Investment, and Government, including Defence & Security. Starting her career as a cost manager with both main and sub-contractors, Nora transitioned to consulting, where she delivered advisory, programme management, and commercial services to clients in buildings, water and transport. Drawing on this diverse background, she is dedicated to shaping Arcadis’ services to meet clients’ evolving needs with innovative solutions, including in Defence & Security where she has been helped leverage Arcadis’ cross-industry, multi-disciplinary experience to respond to the challenges facing Front Line Commands. Combining technical expertise and strategic leadership, she plays a leading role in driving Arcadis’ mission to improve quality of life.
Warren Webster
Programme Director (Army), Major Programmes and Projects
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Air Commodore Paul Yates
Deputy Director, Infrastructure
Military Strategic HQ
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Air Commodore Paul Yates has served in the Royal Air Force for 27 years in a range of leadership and infrastructure management positions. He is currently Deputy Director Infrastructure in the new Military Strategic Headquarters in the Ministry of Defence.
Defence Estates Conference 2025 – Tuesday 1st July, One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
08:30 – 09:30 Registration, refreshments and networking
09:30 – 10:30 Plenary
10:30 – 11:00 Refreshments and networking
11:00 – 12:30 – Sessions
12:30 – 13:20 Lunch and networking
13:20 – 14:50 – Sessions
14:50 – 15:15 Refreshments and networking
16:20 – 17.20 – Drinks reception in Kendal’s bar on the lower ground floor – kindly sponsored by Mitie
Conference Close
Please note agenda will be updated regularly, speakers, subject matter and timings may be subject to change
Public Sector Fleet Conference 2024 – Tuesday 10th June 2025, One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
Venue Information
Set in a magnificent Grade II listed, four-domed, Edwardian building the conference centre is very close to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park.
Venue Tel: 020 7665 2323
E-mail: info@onegreatgeorgestreet.com
Website: http://www.onegreatgeorgestreet.com/
By London Underground
Both Westminster (Exit 6) on the District, Circle and Jubilee lines, and St James’s Park on the District and Circle lines, are just 5 minutes walk away. For more information, visit the Transport for London website.
Walking Directions from Westminster Tube (exit 6)
When you arrive at the top of the stairs you will be on Whitehall. Turn around (as if you were to walk back down the stairs) you are now facing Parliament Square. Walk around to the right onto Great George Street until you come to two sets of traffic lights. Cross over both and continue walking straight down Great George Street for about 1 minute. One Great George Street is the last building on the corner of Great George Street and Storey’s Gate. The building is also the home of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Disabled Parking
The nearest Blue Badge disabled parking bay is located on Matthew Parker Street (drive down Storey’s Gate to the west of the venue and take the second right). Alternatively, a little further away, there are bays on Old Queen Street and Queen Anne’s Gate. These Blue Badge bays offer free parking for up to 4 hours between 08.30 and 18.30 Mon-Fri and unlimited parking at any other time. Please see Westminster Council‘s website for further information.
By River
A River Bus Service runs every 20 minutes during peak time from Embankment to Woolwich Arsenal; the nearest pier to us is the London Eye.
By Car
The nearest car parks provided by Q-Park are located in Abingdon Street and on the south side of Trafalgar Square. Limited meter parking is also available in and around adjacent streets.
By Bicycle
The nearest TFL bike hire docking station is 0.4miles away on Abby Orchard Street. Click on the Cycle for Hire website and type in our post code SW1P 3AA. If your bike folds our cloak room can hold approximately 5 bikes at one time.
By Rail
London’s mainline stations at Waterloo, Victoria and Charing Cross are minutes away by foot or by Underground. For further information visit the National Rail website.
By Bus
Numerous bus routes pass within a 1-2 minute walk of One Great George Street. Bus routes stopping near Parliament Square include: 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211 and 453. For further information visit the Transport for London website.
GPS co-ordinates
Main entrance – 51 30.0822 N and 0 07.7500 W and Princes Mews – 51 30.0420 N and 0 07.7185 W
Congestion Charge
One Great George Street lies within the charging area. For more information, including charges, visit the Transport for London website.
Hotels
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Public Sector Connect Ltd
Lockside Mill
St Martins Road
Marple
Stockport
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(please note this is the organisers business address – NOT the venue for the event)
Georgia Richardson – Conference Manager
– 0161 482 7853
– grichardson@publicsectorconnect.org
Sharon Quinn – Head of Business Development
– 0161 482 7859
– squinn@publicsectorconnect.org
Georgia Richardson – Conference Manager
– 0161 482 7853
– grichardson@publicsectorconnect.org
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