Discover how Chambers and their members can work in partnership with Defence to drive growth, innovation, and long-term economic benefit across Scotland.
Alongside Major General Robin Lindsay CBE, the call will feature Scotland’s three most senior military officers - Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC, Brigadier Jody Davies MBE and Air Commodore Mark Northover MBE, giving attendees the chance to engage with them and ask questions directly.
About the Strategic Defence Review:
We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK Defence. The Strategic Defence Review will make Britain safer - secure at home and strong abroad. It signifies a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence: moving to warfighting readiness to deter threats and strengthen security in the Euro-Atlantic. As the UK steps up to take on more responsibility for European security, we must have a ‘NATO first’ defence policy and lead within the Alliance. The UK will become the leading edge of innovation in NATO.
The SDR sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. It will end the hollowing out of the UK’s Armed Forces and lead in a stronger, more lethal NATO. As we reform Defence and increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 3% in the next Parliament when fiscal and economic conditions allow, the SDR will help make defence an engine for growth boosting prosperity, jobs and security for working people across the UK.
About Major General Robin Lindsay CBE:
Robin Lindsay was commissioned into the Black Watch in 1995, serving as platoon commander, Adjutant, and company commander on operations in West Belfast, Hong Kong, Kosovo, and Iraq. With the Royal Regiment of Scotland, he completed two tours in Afghanistan—first in aviation assault in 2009, then commanding 2 SCOTS as the Police Mentoring Battlegroup in 2013. As a staff officer, he served as Military Assistant to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and SO1 Global Commitments Land at the MoD, co-authoring the 2014 Women in Ground Close Combat Report. Promoted to Colonel, he established the General Staff Centre and served as Assistant Head Personnel Plans. He commanded 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, including military support for the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 response. An instructor at Sandhurst and the Staff College, he later founded the Land Command and Staff College. A graduate of the Advanced and Higher Command and Staff Courses, he became Military Secretary and General Officer Scotland in October 2023.
Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC, Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland:
Brigadier Andy joined the Royal Marines in 1991 and has served around the world, including Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. He has commanded Marines in Commando Logistic Regiment, 45 Commando, 43 Commando and RMR Scotland. He assumed the role of Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland in August 2021.
Brigadier Jody Davies MBE, Commander 51 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland:
Brigadier Jody joined the Army straight from school in 1992 and served with various units before commissioning into the Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1998. He then served in Brunei, Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Afghanistan before working in Army HQ and Sandhurst, running the Headquarters of Standing Joint Command. He is currently Commander of 51 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, based in Edinburgh.
Air Commodore Mark Northover MBE, Air Officer Scotland:
Air Commodore Mark joined the Royal Air Force as a university Cadet in 1984 and began his service career at RAF St Athan in South Wales. After deployments to South Africa, the Far East and Australasia he became the Senior Engineering Officer for the RAF Aerobatic team The Red Arrows. He served extensively in Saudi Arabia delivering Typhoon and Tornado training programmes before taking up his current role of Air Officer Scotland in March 2025.
