Breakfast Briefing with David Williams, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence
Author WIG Date 12 Feb 2025
A recording of the WIG Breakfast Briefing with David Williams, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
Cross-sector collaboration in the defence industry is more important than ever given geopolitical uncertainty, ongoing conflicts in certain parts of the world, and new security threats emerging alongside rapid technological advancements.
Watch this breakfast briefing with David Williams, Permanent Secretary at the MOD, on role the department plays in safeguarding national security, innovations taking place in the defence sector, how the industry can boost economic growth, and the what are the opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
Also by watching you can:
• Hear about the strategic priorities for MOD under a Labour Government as well as the progress in the strategic defence review
• Understand how emerging technologies including AI, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity are part the innovation in the defence space
• Explore the impact and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration in addressing national security challenges
Closed captions and transcripts are available.
Please note the Q&A is not included in this recording.
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Speaker
David Williams was appointed as MOD Permanent Secretary in April 2021.
David Williams 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
- Director Financial Planning & Security