Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT), the UK's first listed software-led defence company, today confirms it will host the live broadcast of an interview with its incoming Non-Executive Chairman, Field Marshal Lord Houghton of Richmond. This will be Lord Houghton's first public interview since his appointment and is scheduled for Friday, 3 October 2025, at 10:00am UK time.

A Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Defence

This landmark session offers investors, partners, and stakeholders a crucial opportunity to understand the strategic thinking of the new Chairman at a pivotal moment for both Defence Holdings and the global defence industry. The interview will provide direct insight into Lord Houghton's vision for the company's future direction and his perspective on the complex challenges and opportunities shaping modern security.

The discussion will explore several key themes central to the company's strategy and the UK's national interest:

Distinguished Leadership: The interview will cover Lord Houghton’s extensive career, from commanding UK forces at every level to his tenure as Chief of the Defence Staff and his current influential role in the House of Lords. His experience offers a unique perspective on the evolution of modern defence leadership and its demands.

The Evolving Defence Landscape: Lord Houghton will share his views on the profound shift in defence, where traditional hardware, while still vital, is now equally decisive alongside technologies like artificial intelligence and cyber. The discussion will address the opportunities and risks presented by AI, the critical importance of sovereign control over these technologies, and whether the UK must adopt more of a "wartime footing" in response to rising geopolitical tensions.

Government and Industry Partnership: The session will delve into the evolving relationship between government, the Armed Forces, and industry. Lord Houghton will also reflect on what personally motivated him to join Defence Holdings at this transformative moment for the defence technology sector.

A Word from the Incoming Non-Executive Chairman

Lord Houghton's decision to join the company is deeply aligned with its core mission to deliver a decisive technological advantage to the UK's Armed Forces.

As he commented at the time of his appointment, "I am delighted and excited to be joining Defence Holdings PLC. Delighted because they are the first defence company to have been conceived, by design, to help deliver the outcomes of the emerging Defence Industrial Strategy: agile, sovereign and wholly focused on exploiting the digital revolution to the UK's national advantage. Excited because I know that the people running Defence Holdings have the mindset, culture and expertise to actually deliver the most significant capability aspiration of the recent Strategic Defence Review: lethal advantage to the UK's Armed Forces."

His vision underscores the strategic value he brings in guiding the company to meet the nation's most critical defence needs.

The Strategic Importance of the Appointment

Lord Houghton's appointment brings deep operational experience and a high profile that resonates across government, the Armed Forces, and with international allies. His perspective strengthens Defence Holdings’ positioning at the intersection of defence and emerging technology, provides immense credibility in dialogues with policymakers, and reinforces investor confidence in the company's mission to deliver a sovereign AI strategy. The upcoming live interview provides a direct opportunity for stakeholders to engage with this strategic vision.

Broadcast and Access Details

Interview Access

Live Broadcast: The interview will be broadcast live on X (formerly Twitter) via the handle @wearedefence on Friday, 3 October 2025, beginning at 10:00am UK time.

Recording: For those unable to watch live, a recording will be made available on the Company's investor hub following the event at: www.defenceplc.com/investors.

Interviewer: The session will be conducted by James Lawson Baker.

About Defence Holdings PLC

Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT) is the UK's first listed software-led defence company, building sovereign AI applications in partnership with hyperscale platforms and UK deep-tech providers.

About Field Marshal Lord Houghton

Field Marshal Lord Houghton served as Chief of the Defence Staff from 2013 to 2016 and was appointed to the House of Lords in 2017.