BAE Systems will serve as the new chair of the Yorkshire Regional Defence & Security Cluster (YRDSC), strengthening its commitment to advancing defence capability, accelerating innovation and unlocking new opportunities for growth in the area. The YRDSC is a collaboration between industry, academia, local government and the Ministry of Defence. It aims to strengthen the UK’s defence industrial base through regional cooperation and commercialisation of new technologies.
James Needham, Integrated Operations Director at BAE Systems in Sheffield, will represent the company as Chair. Needham built his career in the region, graduating from Sheffield Hallam University and working in the academic research, aerospace manufacturing, steel, construction and defence sectors across the Yorkshire region.
“Yorkshire has an incredible depth of industrial capability and enormous potential for further growth,” said Needham. “Having spent my entire career here, I’m passionate about the region and what we can achieve by bringing organisations together to connect our regional capabilities with national defence priorities.”
BAE Systems will use its scale and experience across the defence sector to bring organisations together, strengthen links between regional industry and national defence opportunities, and champion Yorkshire’s defence technology and advanced manufacturing capability.
The appointment as Chair builds on BAE Systems’ growing presence in the region and its commitment to supporting investment, skills and sustainable long-term growth.
Ref: 117/2026