Working with Defence as an SME
with Catherine Proudlove, SME Outreach and Policy Lead for the Ministry of Defence
Monday 17 November 2025 │ 13:00-14:00 GMT │ Interactive Webinar
The recording of this webinar can be viewed here:
The Strategic Defence Review reported that, "Today, much of the best innovation is found in the private sector, while the increasing prevalence of dual-use technologies has widened the net of potential suppliers that can contribute to Defence outcomes. There is a deep range of partners outside Defence that it must work to bring in alongside its prime contractors, from technology and innovation startups and scale-ups, to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), private investors... without which a step-change in industrial productivity would not be possible."
But yet many micro companies and SMEs find it difficult to engage with the MOD, and to understand and navigate the MODs procurement policies and processes. Other frictions frequently reported concern security clearnaces, IP ownership, difficulty complying with complex certifications, misaligned budget cycles and a perceived lack of urgency in MOD procurement.
In this session, Catherine Proudlove will share her perspective on the current policy landscape, outline the key areas where the MOD is directing its investments, and highlight new opportunities emerging within the supply chain. She will also offer practical advice on finding the right support, navigating available frameworks, and helping suppliers make the most of their engagement with MOD procurement.
HEAR FROM
Catherine Proudlove, SME Outreach and Policy Lead for the Ministry of Defence
Catherine is the SME outreach and Policy Lead for the Ministry of Defence. Always keen to talk and hear about experiences first hand, Catherine is committed to supporting industry and government in overcoming barriers commonly experienced by micro, small and medium sized enterprises. In support of this work, Catherine has responsibility for helping suppliers to access opportunities in the supply chain.
For years, retail innovation has focused on efficiency—faster checkouts, cleaner interfaces, shorter paths to purchase. But in the rush to streamline, we’ve lost something essential: conversation. Forget chatbots. Forget dashboards. This is a conversation. And it’s quietly changing how retail works from the first “hello” to the final click.
Join fellow senior retail leaders for a dinner hosted in partnership with Rezolve Ai, and Microsoft. Together, we’ll explore how intelligent, conversational AI is reshaping digital commerce; not with noise, but with nuance. This is a shift from transactional UX to intelligent, contextual interaction powered by AI that works across the journey, not just at the edge of it.
We’re not talking about pilots or prototypes. We’re talking about what’s working:
This isn’t a new channel. It’s a new layer woven across the entire retail experience: search, discovery, decision-making, checkout, service, and loyalty. We’ll unpack how forward-looking retailers use conversational AI not as a bolt-on feature but as a strategic layer that deepens product discovery, increases conversion, unlocks lifetime value, and reduces friction across the customer journey. All without rebuilding from scratch.
AGENDA
18:30 Arrival & Welcome Drinks
19:10 Move to Seats
19:15 Opening Remarks
19:25 Scene-Setter: What’s Actually Working in Retail AI
19:35 Dinner & Moderated Discussion
21:35 Final Thoughts & Takeaways
21:30 Close
HEAR FROM
Daniel M. Wagner is an entrepreneur and technology pioneer, leading Rezolve Ai—a global force in Conversational Commerce and AI-driven retail. With four decades at the cutting edge of digital innovation, Dan is known for turning bold ideas into industry-shaping realities.
At just 20, Dan founded MAID, the world’s first commercial online information service, and by his late 30s, he had taken it public on both the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, becoming one of the youngest CEOs of a listed company. This early success established him as a digital commerce trailblazer.
Since launching Rezolve Ai in 2016, Dan has redefined retail technology, introducing Brain Commerce and expanding globally through partnerships with Microsoft and Google. Under his leadership, Rezolve Ai was named a “Next Big Winner” in AI for 2025 by MarketBeat.
Mark is an expert commercial leader with 25 years of experience bringing technology to life for retailers, brands and financial institutions globally. Focusing on strategic partnerships, business development and M&A, Marks’ past successes include a leadership role, as Chief Commercial Officer, in the successful IPO of Attraqt (LSE: ATQT), a business Mark joined at its inception.
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