Reputation Under the Microscope: Ethics, Social Value & Community in Defence
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
Release Date: 12/11/2025
Reputation Under the Microscope: Ethics, Social Value & Community in Defence
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
In this revealing episode from Reputation Masterclass 2025, chair Philip Ingram leads an expert panel examining the complex interplay of social responsibility, community relations, and ESG funding in the defence industry. Joined by Elizabeth Newman-Earl (Founder, e50k), Stuart Nicol (Heropreneurs mentor and quantum technology investor), and Helena Holden (Canny Comms), the discussion unpicks the realities behind the 10% social value requirement in defence procurement. Key insights include: Why social value in defence procurement risks being merely a tick-box exercise—and what's needed to...
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Navigating the defence landscape: misinformation, geopolitics & the modern world
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
In this essential episode from Reputation Masterclass 2025, chair Philip Ingram leads a frank discussion with Rebecca Jones (Associate Director, Sibylline) and Andrew Fox (Research Fellow, The Henry Jackson Society) on the communications challenges posed by misinformation and evolving geopolitical tensions. Key insights include: The crucial distinction between misinformation, disinformation and propaganda—and why intent matters How Russia's targeted information campaigns influenced American perceptions of the Ukraine conflict Why Israel won every firefight in Gaza yet failed to achieve...
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Digital security and aesthetics: Building beautiful and secure platforms
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
In this lightning talk from the Reputation Masterclass conference (Jan 2025), Dav Howard, Technical Director at Major, explores the crucial balance between digital security and beautiful design. With 15 years of industry experience, Dav addresses a challenge every defence and technology company faces: creating visually appealing, user-friendly platforms whilst maintaining robust security measures. Dav examines why these two priorities often compete, from complex password requirements that frustrate users to third-party plugins that introduce vulnerabilities. He reveals how phishing attacks...
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Rebranding for the Future: Concurrent’s transformation after 30 years
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
In this lightning talk from the Reputation Masterclass series, Rachel Bilecki, Head of MarComms at Concurrent, shares the inside story of transforming a defence technology company's brand identity. Stepping into her first role in defence, Rachel was immediately tasked with rebranding Concurrent Technologies, a challenge that became as much about culture transformation as visual identity. Rachel takes us through the journey from Concurrent Technologies to simply Concurrent, revealing how the rebrand reflected the company's ambitious evolution under new leadership. With bolder colours (including...
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Harnessing 3D visualisations: bringing innovation to life through immersive design
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
Revealing how AR, VR, and 3D animation can bring sophisticated technologies to life when physical demonstrations are impractical or impossible. Orginally recorded at Reputation Masterclass 2025 (January 2025). Speakers: AJ Bouchada and Cebiso Mhlanga, co-founders of Cebiso M Studios Book to attend Reputation Masterclass 2026: https://www.canny-comms.co.uk/masterclass-2026
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Public affairs in a shifting political landscape.
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
Insights into the evolving role of public affairs and lobbying in defence and security. Orginally recorded at Reputation Masterclass 2025 (January 2025). Speaker: Rachael Clamp, former CIPR president and founder of Ardesey Book to attend Reputation Masterclass 2026: https://www.canny-comms.co.uk/masterclass-2026
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Maximising impact at DSEI – lessons from industry leaders
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
Panel discussion from Reputation Masterclass 2025: Maximising impact at DSEI – lessons from industry leaders. Strategic insights on making the most of large-scale defence exhibitions like DSEI. Panel: Chair: Philip Ingram, security journalist Andrew Kinniburgh, director general, Make UK Defence David Scotter, events lead, ADS Group Les Gregory, Canny industry advisor and DSEI veteran Sign up for Reputation Masterclass 2026:
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The front line of reporting – media perspectives on defence & security
Canny chats: The defence & security communication podcast
An exploration of media coverage of conflict and the defence industry, with guidance on effective collaboration with correspondents. Orginally recorded at Reputation Masterclass 2025 (January 2025). Panel members: Chair: Andrea Stovin-Bradford, Canny PR and comms expert Tom Sharpe, columnist at the Telegraph Ali Kefford, freelance national naval journalist Philip Ingram, freelance security journalist Freya Lewis, head of external communications for ADS Group Book to attend Reputation Masterclass 2026:
info_outlineIn this revealing episode from Reputation Masterclass 2025, chair Philip Ingram leads an expert panel examining the complex interplay of social responsibility, community relations, and ESG funding in the defence industry. Joined by Elizabeth Newman-Earl (Founder, e50k), Stuart Nicol (Heropreneurs mentor and quantum technology investor), and Helena Holden (Canny Comms), the discussion unpicks the realities behind the 10% social value requirement in defence procurement.
Key insights include:
- Why social value in defence procurement risks being merely a tick-box exercise—and what's needed to change that
- The startling revelation that MOD question-setters don't fully understand social value requirements themselves
- How defence innovation drives civilian breakthroughs: from LEDs invented by DSTL to blood transfusions enabled by military research
- Why the person in the street wrongly assumes defence can't be ESG-compliant—and how to change that narrative
- The critical communications lesson from the Ajax armoured vehicle crisis: silence creates a void filled with narratives you don't control
- How SMEs already deliver substantial social value but lack time and expertise to capture it effectively
- Why primes must do more to support supply chain partners in meeting social value requirements
- The disconnect between government social value metrics and what the defence community actually needs
- Practical strategies for maintaining authenticity when communicating controversial issues
- The opportunity presented by the forthcoming Armed Forces Commissioner Bill to influence defence personnel policy
This conversation strips away the corporate language to expose uncomfortable truths: social value delivery often lacks teeth, with no penalties for non-compliance; government metrics don't align with defence industry needs; and SMEs struggle under bureaucratic burden whilst doing genuine good work that goes uncaptured.
Essential listening for defence contractors, communications professionals, procurement officers, and anyone navigating the intersection of commercial success and social responsibility in the UK's £48 billion defence sector.
Join us at Reputation Masterclass 2026 10 February 2026 | Farnborough International Discover the latest insights in defence communications and reputation management. Learn more: https://canny-comms.co.uk/masterclass-2026