Make UK and Make UK Defence to launch first joint pavilion at Advanced Engineering 2026
EDITOR’ S CHOICE A STRENGTHENED PARTNERSHIP
MAKE UK
Make UK and Make UK Defence to launch first joint pavilion at Advanced Engineering 2026
Make UK and Make UK Defence will, for the first time, host a joint pavilion at Advanced Engineering 2026, bringing together two of the UK’ s most influential industrial advocates in a single, visible platform.
The move reflects their shared role at the centre of UK manufacturing and defence – representing thousands of companies to government and policymakers – and their commitment to making sure the realities of doing business are heard in national debates on industrial strategy, growth, skills, regulation, net zero and national security.
By combining their presence at Advanced Engineering, the associations are not only creating a stronger showcase for members but also using the event as a live listening post. The pavilion will give engineers, leaders and innovators a direct route to the organisations representing the industry, especially at a time when decisions on industrial strategy, defence spending and technology investment are being made.
“ Make UK and Make UK Defence are the leading organisations that key stakeholders turn to when they want to know what is really happening in UK manufacturing and the defence supply chain” says Simon Farnfield, Head of UK Manufacturing Cluster at Easyfairs“ Bringing them together in a single pavilion at Advanced Engineering is about more than exhibition real estate- it is about giving industry a stronger, more coordinated voice”
Make UK and Make UK Defence are the leading organisations that key stakeholders turn to when they want to know what is really happening in UK manufacturing and the defence supply chain
Advocates at the heart of UK industrial policy
Make UK and Make UK Defence are recognised as leading interlocutors between industry and government. They provide data, analysis and frontline insight that shape policy on everything from skills and productivity to export support, defence procurement and regulation.
At Advanced Engineering, this advocacy role will be highly visible. Members and visitors will be able to talk directly with policy and public affairs teams, share what is making projects“ increasingly hard work to get over the line”, and feed into the evidence base that shapes future government decisions.
“ In a year when engineers are battling volatile energy costs, skills shortages, supply chain disruption and rising expectations on net zero and digitalisation, having these two leading advocates on the show floor creates a direct feedback loop between real projects and national policy”, says Simon Farnfield.
14 PECM Issue 81