Rolls-Royce included on new defence council

A representative from Rolls-Royce has been appointed to a new council, which aims to grow the region’s defence sector as the Government prepares to boost defence spending.

Emma Maltby, vice-president of strategic partnering at the engineering giant, which has its Defence division in Raynesway, has been made a member of the Midlands Defence and Security Council.

The council, which is the brainchild of the mayors of the East and West Midlands, features some of the region’s biggest employers and several SMEs.

They have been tasked with attracting new investment to create jobs by collectively championing and advocating for the Midlands defence and security industries.

The mayors will host the council members for their first meeting later this month.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The East Midlands has substantial strengths in defence and the sectors that support it, but we know that even greater strength and opportunity is generated by the wider Midlands working together.

“Businesses expect us to ensure that the benefits of increased defence investment accrue to our major global businesses and SMEs alike, and this council will ensure that we work together to deliver that.”