Conference
Philip Butterworth-Hayes - Conference Director
For more than 30 years Philip has specialised in delivering highly complex technical and industrial aerospace/defence information and advice to a wide number of government and industry clients. His background includes posts as the launch editor of the European Defence Agency’s European Defence Matters and director of communications and strategy at the Civil Aviation Navigation Organization (CANSO). He was the founding editor of Jane’s Aircraft Component Manufacturers and a former editor of Interavia Aerospace Review, Jane’s Defence Industries, Jane’s Military Aircraft and several unmanned air system publications. He has been an aerospace consultant to BBC Television and Time-Life books. His most recent work has focused on developing a global directory of counter-UAS systems for use by procurement officials in the defence and security sectors.
Philip said, “ReadinessEurope comes at a pivotal time for Europe’s defence and security companies as we enter an era of huge upheaval for the sector. New strategic defence priorities for the continent, Ukraine, AI, supply chain disruption, the emergence of niche SMEs as partners and competitors, new funding opportunities, compressed R&D timelines, a technological revolution on the battlefield are just some of the asymmetric challenges facing Europe’s defence and security companies. Readiness Europe will discuss all these issues – from changes to strategic defence priorities to understanding the new skills and capabilities required by corporations of all sizes to adapt to this changing world.”
He is the editor and publisher of Unmanned Airspace and a member of the Board of Liaisons of the Advanced Air Mobility Institute.
Running alongside the exhibition, the two-day Readiness
Europe Conference will bring together industry experts,
innovators and strategic stakeholders to explore the technologies
and challenges shaping the future of defence manufacturing.
The programme will combine technical insights from leading
suppliers with broader discussions around policy, procurement,
and supply chain resilience.
Designed for defence engineering, R&D, procurement and senior executives,
the conference will offer concise, high-impact sessions that
provide practical takeaways and strategic insight - helping
delegates stay ahead in a fast-evolving landscape.
Key themes will include:
- Industrial financing and investment strategies to support defence manufacturing scale-up
- Emerging materials and advanced manufacturing processes
- Digitalisation and design for manufacturability
- Supply chain security and sovereign capability
- Testing, validation, and compliance in regulated defence environments
- Innovation in modularity, scalability, and lifecycle support
- European collaboration frameworks and cross-border funding programmes