**London**: Leonardo and Form1 have introduced a new SME Collaboration Partner Programme to foster long-term partnerships with innovative UK SMEs, aiming to accelerate growth, job creation, and sovereign capabilities in the UK’s defence and national security sector.
Leonardo has officially launched its SME Collaboration Partner Programme in partnership with Form1, marking a significant development in the UK’s defence and security sector. The programme is designed to foster closer, long-term collaborations between Leonardo’s UK business and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) known for their innovative capabilities. By combining Leonardo’s extensive experience and market access with the agility and creativity of these SMEs, the initiative aims to deliver impactful advancements across the UK’s Defence and National Security industry and to allied forces.
This strategic initiative intends to establish carefully selected SME partnerships that are both mutually beneficial and tailored to align closely with Leonardo’s business objectives in the UK. Rather than offering generic support or short-term solutions, the programme focuses on building sustained, strategic collaborations that will accelerate commercial opportunities and growth. This is expected to drive several key outcomes, including increased orders, job creation, and the development of sovereign innovative capabilities within the defence and security markets.
Simon Harwood, UK Capability Director at Leonardo, explained the motivation behind the new model for SME engagement: “We recognise that many significant technological breakthroughs originate from SMEs. However, traditional accelerator programmes or framework approaches often fail to meet their needs, because they offer generic support in specific markets and limited access to revenue opportunities. This new initiative focuses on delivering long-term, strategic and bespoke partnerships, not short-term innovation theatre. Our goal is to develop new capabilities, and go to market in partnership with SME partners, ensuring sustainable commercial success and benefits often not realised from purely transactional supplier relationships.”
The programme will be jointly led by teams from Leonardo and Form1, emphasising the commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the growth of a sustainable UK defence industry. John Downes, Co-CEO at Form1 Partners, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are delighted to be working with Leonardo on this initiative. SMEs face unique challenges in the defence sector, from navigating complex procurement processes to difficulties accessing funding streams. At Form1, we believe that successful partnerships are built on people and the right behaviours, not just contracts. Leonardo has fully embraced this ethos, demonstrating a genuine commitment to supporting SMEs in a way that is both practical and commercially valuable. We look forward to working together to help drive innovation and create meaningful opportunities for UK defence SMEs.”
Further endorsement came from John Ridge, Chief Adoption Officer at the NATO Innovation Fund, who highlighted the importance of initiatives such as this in bridging innovation and application: “Ensuring that breakthrough technologies from SMEs transition into real-world defence applications is key to boosting the technological edge of Allied nations. Initiatives like Leonardo’s SME Collaboration Partner Programme have an important role to play in bridging the gap between innovation and adoption, providing SMEs with the support, expertise, and market access they need to scale.”
This new programme by Leonardo and Form1 represents a structured effort to enhance the UK’s defence innovation ecosystem by providing SMEs with more effective pathways to commercial success and market integration. It is an example of how established defence firms are adapting their engagement strategies to better accommodate the unique needs of smaller, technology-driven companies in the sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
