Andrew Collier joined Northern Defence Industries in summer 2008. Prior to this he had served as a commissioned officer in the Royal Navy and on leaving the service worked for a short time within One North East, the RDA covering Tyneside, Northumberland, Durham and Teesside.

As a warfare and intelligence officer Andrew served in a variety of assignments both at sea and in shore headquarters at home and abroad during a career lasting 27 years. He has had recent and extensive experience within the MoD Central Staff in Whitehall and was involved with the planning and organisation of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He remains an active member of the Royal Naval Reserve and is based at HMS CALLIOPE the north east’s own RNR unit. Andrew is married with three daughters and lives in Northumberland.

1. How do I find out what the Ministry of Defence is planning to procure?
2. How can I market my company’s success within the defence sector?
3. How can I get integrated into the prime manufacturers’ supply chains?
4. What pre qualifying criteria must I achieve in order to undertake defence and security work?
5. Defence procurement seems very long winded and time consuming. Are there any quick routes to market?

Michael Mulroy is a qualified engineer with extensive experience in large and small manufacturing companies in Product Development, Process Development, Manufacturing and Quality roles. More recently, as a Manufacturing Specialist at the Manufacturing Advisory Service, he has assisted numerous North East companies to improve their products and processes and make real changes in the way they do business.

Currently, Michael is the Business Development Manager at RCID, Newcastle University’s business focussed Engineering Consultancy. The organisation specialises in Mechanical design and analysis, Electronic design and Software development using an experienced team of talented in-house engineers. As part of the university, RCID can also draw on additional expertise from an extensive university academic base and access funding for clients from such sources as regional Innovation Vouchers and Newcastle’s own Business Voucher scheme.

1. How can I determine whether my new product idea is feasible or able to be easily manufactured?
2. My product needs improving – how can I reduce its price/reduce its weight/improve its performance?
3. My design would be very costly to prototype – how can I ensure it will perform as expected before making a physical prototype?
4. How can I access University expertise to help with my product development?
5. Where can I find help to develop my electronic project?