Member Info for miningforgold

Exactly that Muck

Aurora (QinetiQ + AtkinsRéalis + BMT) has just announced an expansion into AI productivity, bringing in SMEs including Whitespace, Faculty, FSP, and Aiimi.

The goal to accelerate MOD engineering at scale, delivering time and cost savings while speeding up project delivery.

This marks the official entry point for Whitespace and Defence Technologies into Aurora’s delivery pipeline:

• Royal Navy Technical Documentation Services (BMT lead, £18M / 4 years)

AI opportunity: LLM/NLP automation for technical manuals, structured data tagging, semantic search.

• Master Record Data Centre (QinetiQ lead, £12M / 5 years)

AI opportunity: Data integrity models, anomaly detection, digital twin feeds.

• Aurora AI Productivity Programme (QinetiQ-led, SME-focused)

AI opportunity: Prototype agents, LLM workflows, integration of Collective OS into MOD engineering.

• Ships Maintenance Management / Reliability-Centred Management (Atkins & BMT, £22M / 5 years)

AI opportunity: Predictive maintenance models, optimisation algorithms, reliability dashboards.

• Type 26 & Type 31 Combat Systems Support (QinetiQ lead, £13M / 4 years)

AI opportunity: Sensor-data fusion, threat detection, ML for system integration testing.

• FCAS / DE&S Catalyst Delivery Team (Aurora consortium, £31M)

AI opportunity: Digital engineering tools, human-system teaming AI, optimisation in future combat air systems.

• Dstl Modular Integrated Protection System (Aurora contributors, est. £5M+)

•AI opportunity: Sensor fusion pipelines, automated threat recognition, rapid deployment of AI prototypes.

Key leadership and strategic figures behind Defence Technologies:

• Andrew McCartney, Co-Founder Whitespace and ex-Microsoft, serving as CTO leading the technical design and delivery of AI infrastructure.

• Field Marshal Lord Houghton, providing strategic oversight and ensuring alignment with UK defence priorities.

• James Norwood, just been appointed to NATO’s Coalition of the Willing (CoW), representing Defence Holdings in NATO’s industrial dialogue and ensuring sovereign UK perspectives are integrated.

• Paul Jenkinson, CEO and Co-Founder at Whitespace, driving delivery of secure, sovereign AI solutions for real-world operational use.

Whitespace and Defence Technologies’ working together:

• Rapid MVP/prototype development

• Secure, sovereign AI infrastructure (Air gapped, classified environments) (see GOOGLE recent news announcement specifically detailing Air gapped services)

• Data pipelines, LLM/NLP, agent-style AI solutions

• Deployment in regulated/defence contexts with compliance (ISO-27001, etc.)

This positioning underscores that Whitespace and Defence Technologies are core enablers, actively delivering the AI capabilities that allow Aurora to execute these multi-million-pound MOD programmes not just passive participants, but central to operational delivery

170 projects live at any one time

£ 10 bn DE&S annual budget

10-20 % AEP efficiency target

250 of our people working on EDP at any given time

10 year commercial arrangement

AI SMEs including Whitespace will be engaged to accelerate large-scale AI use. The combination of AI with EDP’s high-value engineering skills will save time and cost, boosting productivity as well as increasing the pace of delivery for MOD programmes across the defence enterprise.

Announcements at the show last week :-

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/qinetiq_2_with-our-partners-atkinsr%C3%A9alis-and-bmt-we-activity-7371573238918705152-5wIF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAn35gQBSkiTYH0WWfUWsp4fmcd_f3rBtWc

Ministry of Defence: Engineering Delivery Partnership :-

https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/projects/ministry-of-defence-engineering-delivery-partnership

Hold those shares tightly

“We know so far that DH will be participating in collaboration with WhiteSpace to develop an AI defense product. There is little information on what terms and in what aspect.

DH's involvement is not a direct collaboration with the MoD. Its through WhiteSpace so it raises the question whether they will be granted a funding package as claimed and to what portion.

I like to know more details about DH's role in the grand scheme of it all. If WhiteSpace and other bigger organisations are co-developing the AI defence product, then how does DH fit into all of this.

Will they be just acting as a supporting role and if so the reality of it can be very different to market expectations.”

I think it’s important to look at what’s actually been announced. The creation of Defence Technologies isn’t some bolt-on or side contract it’s a branded, structured delivery platform built explicitly for sovereign AI capability, born out of the Defence Holdings / Whitespace partnership.

The market isn’t being misled here. The company has made it clear. Defence Holdings provides the listed parent, strategy, partnerships, and market access, Defence Technologies is the operational delivery platform inside defence and crucially there are already two classified MoD applications in active build, not just concepts on paper.

This isn’t supporting role territory as you suggest. This is exactly why Defence Holdings was founded, to be the UK’s first listed, software led defence company and to deliver sovereign, AI-driven capabilities at scale.

The RNS makes it clear the platform has been designed to compete head-to-head with the primes not sit in their shadow.

So rather than questioning whether DH has a real role, the evidence shows the opposite, this is a decisive shift from concept to execution, with Defence Technologies providing the MoD and primes a single, credible engagement point.

The fact that the first products are already classified and in build speaks volumes about how central DH’s role actually is. So I completely disagree with you, this isn’t a case of tagging along with WhiteSpace. The brand, the platform, and the classified projects demonstrate that Defence was born to do exactly this!

Amazing article and a great read, thanks for sharing hadn’t seen that before!

“This would be the UK's answer to Palantir’s Gotham, but specifically designed for sovereign control rather than foreign dependency.

If Palantir was America’s answer to sovereign AI defence, ALRT is Britain’s. And right now, it’s trading where Palantir was years before the hype.

And if so, we are at the ground floor.”

It’s worth remembering why you’ve not seen the Defence Holdings name plastered across MoD press releases in recent years: they simply didn’t exist back then!

When government was giving out early grants and contracts, it was Whitespace building the credibility, reputation and track record and they’ve done that exceptionally well. StratCom themselves describe Whitespace as a trusted technology partner for Defence, Security and Intelligence, known for its expertise in leading-edge technologies and ability to rapidly design and build IP.

Defence Holdings was created with a very specific purpose, to commercialise sovereign AI and defence grade products needed at the frontline. Whitespace brought the pedigree, and Defence Holdings provides the vehicle to scale it, capitalise it, and put sovereign AI infrastructure into the hands of the UK and its allies.

And in the last few weeks, we’ve seen how fast that strategy is coming to life with the RNS confirming commercialisation by December. Launch of Project Ixian at DSEI, a sovereign AI system to counter hostile information ops, the very definition of frontline military need

Andrew McCartney, Whitespace founder and ex-Microsoft Ventures, stepping in as Defence Holdings CTO

Field Marshal Lord Houghton, former Chief of the Defence Staff, appointed incoming Chairman

James Norwood taking a seat in NATO’s NIAG Coalition of the Willing, giving Defence Holdings direct influence on NATO’s AI and digital defence strategy

These aren’t speculative headlines, they’re heavyweight moves that bring credibility, access, and discipline.

Of course, until revenues hit the books, everything is technically speculation.But there’s a world of difference between a biotech hoping for adoption and a sovereign AI company with MoD validation, NATO access, worldclass engineers, and senior military leadership at the helm. It’s about the right people, the right partners, the right products, and the right timing, and that’s why the direction of travel here is crystal clear.

And when you look at what happened just in the last few weeks alone, it’s clear how fast things are developing this is moving from concept to commercial reality at a pace you rarely see in defence, or anywhere infact 😂

Has the significant of this RNS been over looked as we all waited for the product launch announcement? I’ve never seen small cap LSE co with such high quality BOD.

James Norwood’s NIAG role puts Defence Holdings/Whitespace inside NATO’s inner circle for shaping the future of AI, cyber, and multi-domain operations turning them from a contractor into a strategic partner at alliance level.

NIAG = NATO Industrial Advisory Group.

It’s NATO’s official industry advisory body, bringing together companies, tech leaders, and defence specialists to guide NATO strategy and procurement around emerging technologies.

Coalition of the Willing This is a subset working group inside NIAG where select nations and their industrial partners collaborate on high-priority, fast-moving areas typically AI, cyber, space, resilience, and multi-domain operations.

It’s where NATO tests out non-traditional defence players (SMEs, AI innovators) alongside prime contractors.

It’s also where NATO pushes sovereign AI and infrastructure projects forward without being bogged down in endless bureaucracy.

Strategic importance.

Being part of NIAG’s Coalition of the Willing isn’t symbolic it means you’re inside the policy + procurement pipeline for NATO’s most sensitive tech domains.

James Norwood is Vice Chairman of Defence Holdings, with a background in Royal Navy leadership and significant experience in defence strategy, tech integration, and operations. What his NATO NIAG role means.

His appointment signals:

Direct influence over NATO’s AI and digital defence strategy. He’s now part of the advisory circle shaping what NATO buys and from whom.

Legitimacy and access. Defence Holdings (through Norwood) now has a seat at the NATO innovation table — meaning they aren’t just pitching products, they’re helping shape requirements.

Bridge for Whitespace/Defence Holdings. It puts their projects (like Project Ixian) in front of NATO decision-makers at concept stage, not just procurement stage.

The big picture.

With Lord Houghton chairing Defence Holdings, Norwood in NIAG, and Whitespace already embedded with UK MoD, this positions the group as a sovereign AI champion with direct influence on both UK and NATO defence strategy.

Thoughts? I think this is HUGE A

Stratcom Department

The UK Ministry of Defence

''Whitespace is at the forefront of UK SMEs within the technology sector. They are a trusted technology partner for Defence, Security and Intelligence businesses. They are known for their expertise in leading-edge technologies and ability to design and build IP quickly or enable collaborative innovation through their extensive network of parts SMEs and community.''

Jonathon Brame

Basic and Applied Research Team Lead at US Army DEVCOM

''We are excited to work with Whitespace to develop tools to automate & expand our science & tech scouting processes – supporting & reducing the administrative burden, allowing us to focus our time & energy on the critical opportunities to connect within & expand our partnership networks”

Couldn’t agree more Dafad! The amount of capital chasing AI opportunities is staggering, and when you combine that with sovereign AI infrastructure and operational systems, you’re looking at something transformative.

Add in a team of worldclass engineers and military leaders, and it’s hard to see how this doesn’t succeed!

To dismiss these developments as ‘high risk’ is to underestimate the extraordinary talent, discipline, and strategic foresight that underpin this venture. The team at Whitespace represents some of the most accomplished professionals in the country in AI infrastructure, sovereign computing, and defence technology.

Their collective experience spans years of pioneering work in cutting-edge AI, cloud architecture, operational analytics, and national security applications. A simple review of their LinkedIn profiles demonstrates a track record of high-stakes problem solving, innovation, and leadership at both national and international levels.

Layered on top of this is the recent transformation of the Defence Holdings board, which now includes Field Marshal Lord Nick Houghton, former UK Chief of Defence Staff, bringing unparalleled operational insight and strategic oversight. Alongside him, James Norwood and other senior military leaders add further credibility, ensuring that the group’s initiatives are aligned with real-world operational and strategic requirements. These appointments are not merely symbolic they reflect a deliberate commitment to embedding discipline, accountability, and operational excellence at the highest levels of governance.

When worldclass AI engineers collaborate closely with some of the UK’s most decorated and experienced military leaders, you have an organisation uniquely positioned to deliver robust, mission critical AI solutions for defence and national security. This is a team for whom risk is managed meticulously, strategy is data-driven, and execution is disciplined.

With this depth of expertise and leadership, failure is not a likely outcome, it’s an outcome the organization is structurally designed to avoid.

Not to say there’s no risk, but I’d say the last few months have been de risked massively.

Anything I’ve missed, please add

13 Aug 2025 Defence Holdings and Whitespace sign Letter of Intent for a strategic sovereign-AI partnership

18 Aug 2025 Andrew McCartney (Whitespace co-founder / ex-Microsoft Ventures) appointed Chief Technology Officer, Defence Holdings

19 Aug 2025 Defence Holdings completes strategic partnership with Whitespace

21 Aug 2025 Defence Holdings runs a live management update on leadership transition and strategy

26 Aug 2025 TR-1: Standard notification of major holdings filed

27 Aug 2025 Richard “Bertie” Bassett appointed Vice President, Defence Programmes; warrants granted to Bassett and CTO Andrew McCartney

• 01 Sep 2025 Update on strategic partnership with Whitespace

04 Sep 2025 Defence Holdings unveils its first classified AI product with UK MoD

•05 Sep 2025 Whitespace formally signs the Armed Forces Covenant

•07 Sep 2025 Field Marshal Lord Nick Houghton appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Defence Holdings (effective 1 Oct 2025); warrants issued

•09 Sep 2025 Deputy Chairman James Norwood invited to join NATO’s NIAG “Coalition of the Willing”

•09 Sep 2025 Exercise of 55,192,308 warrants announced (new ordinary shares to be admitted)

•10 Sep 2025 Aurora Engineering Partnership expands: Frazer-Nash and KBR join AtkinsRéalis, BMT, Whitespace, Faculty and Aiimi to support MoD EDP

• 11 Sep 2025 Project Ixian launched at DSEI — sovereign AI to detect, defend and disrupt hostile information operations

•12 Sep 2025 UK Ministry of Defence awards £400m sovereign cloud & AI contract to Google Cloud

'Nuff said

Philip Richardson OBE

Ministry of Defence for Google Cloud

💯 % agree with Whitespace’s commitment on delivering relevant ground breaking AI capability quickly. Witnessed first hand. A1.

in response to

Whitespace has been selected to join the UK Ministry of Defence's Engine for Growth initiative, launched this week to open up faster, more agile partnerships between government and the UK tech sector.

This is about more than procurement reform, it’s a commitment to doing innovation differently: removing barriers, shortening timelines, and backing companies that can deliver impact at pace.

For our team, it’s a natural step forward. We’ve spent the last decade helping complex organisations turn bold ideas into real-world impact, and this agreement gives us a platform to do even more.

Powering that work is Collective - the system that lets us build and deploy AI quickly, securely, and always with the user right alongside us. It's how we ensure innovation doesn't just get developed, it gets delivered.

On LinkedIn

Great video, really informative, thanks!

Gone

Https://www.gov.uk/government/news/security-delivered-for-working-people-as-uk-us-ties-strengthened-with-new-google-cloud-partnership-for-classified-information-sharing

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/uk-ministry-of-defence_defence-and-security-ties-have-activity-7372188529432641536-7w6V?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAn35gQBSkiTYH0WWfUWsp4fmcd_f3rBtWc

!Nothing at the moment linking Google with DH or whitespace"

LOL !!!

I give up

Https://www.linkedin.com/posts/suzanne-greenhalgh-02509a4_google-cloud-today-announced-it-has-been-activity-7372147229005946881-WTpp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAn35gQBSkiTYH0WWfUWsp4fmcd_f3rBtWc

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/robbiecarroll_google-cloud-today-announced-it-has-been-activity-7372021513828323328-kVYx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAn35gQBSkiTYH0WWfUWsp4fmcd_f3rBtWc

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/iainburgess_google-cloud-today-announced-it-has-been-activity-7372051008824291328-mZOh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAn35gQBSkiTYH0WWfUWsp4fmcd_f3rBtWc

All people very much involved in the project as well

The Google staff that Andrew tagged on LinkedIn include :-

Managing Director, Office of the CTO at Google Cloud

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joabel/

Google UKI Public Sector Leader at Google Cloud. Member of Executive Leadership team at Google Cloud UKI

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainburgess/

UK Defence Lead | Google Cloud | Digital Transformation

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiecarroll/

Business Principal, Public Sector

https://www.linkedin.com/in/imogen-verret-69b64a1b7/

Director EMEA Public Sector

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmcdonagh/

Strategic Missions & Partnerships ~ Google Distributed Cloud

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-lyras-31a49a7/

I can't believe there's still doubters :D

Ian, they already work with ORACLE and already work with Fujitsu

I think it's fairly obvious now it's Google

"Development of the product has been carried out in collaboration with one of the world's Magnificent 7 technology leaders. Whitespace engineers have worked directly with the partner's engineering team to integrate AI-native cloud infrastructure into Project Ixian, embedding hyperscale capability from inception.

This collaboration gives Project Ixian sovereign-grade resilience and scalability from day one, positioning Defence Technologies as one of the very few emerging defence companies able to operate at the scale of the primes. By building on infrastructure already relied upon by governments, telecoms, and critical industries worldwide, the product is proven to perform at allied scale."

& Seeing as Andrew tagged in about 7 people from Google in his LinkedIn post

“The partnership also establishes a foundation for job creation, skills development, and start-up and small to medium enterprise growth across the UK defence industrial base.

The deal has already led to millions of pounds of inward investment from Google Cloud, which will hire a specialist dedicated team in the UK to manage the technology.

“Google Cloud is dedicated to supporting the UK government's mission to develop a robust and resilient infrastructure and harness the latest technology innovations,” said Tara Brady, EMEA President, Google Cloud.

“This partnership will enable the MOD to accelerate its digital modernisation efforts while maintaining the highest levels of security and data sovereignty.”