Speakers

Jez Holmes left the RAF in 2023 after 3 decades of service including frontline operations on the Tornado Force.

In 2015 he was responsible for the FCAS R&D programme, transforming it through a successful bid in SDSR15 to a £3Bn investment in Combat Air technology and skills for the UK, and supporting the development of a National Combat Air Strategy. He established and led the Team Tempest initiative, a novel, joint, Government and industry programme to deliver the majority of the FCAS outcomes and that would be the catalyst for the establishment of the Global Combat Air Programme.

In parallel, Jez was a founder member of the RAF's Rapid Capabilities Office and would go on to lead the organisation as it grew a portfolio that included everything from Zero Trust Cloud architectures with AI, to drone experimentation. During his time he has worked with every size of company both inside and outside the Defence Sector and led a number of key international negotiations and programmes.

On the leaving the RAF Jez started Raven Innovation Ltd, a company dedicated to supporting innovative tech SMEs in or entering the Defence Sector, and supporting larger organisations to grow innovative approaches to capability delivery. At the heart of this enterprise is a desire to accelerate the delivery of battle winning technology to those that protect, and to influence Government policy and culture to allow this to happen.

Jez is also a District Coordinator for Defence Deer Management in his spare time.

www.raven-innovation.com