Team Plymouth launched to spearhead defence growth and regional regeneration

Plymouth has officially launched Team Plymouth – a powerful new alliance of government, industry, and education leaders tasked with ensuring the city and wider region benefits from its designation as a National Defence Growth Area.

The city was the only one named in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy, placing it alongside just four other key defence growth communities nationwide. The formal launch, held at the Market Hall in Devonport, brought together more than 100 delegates, including ministers, MPs and senior civil servants, to hear how the programme will deliver long-term prosperity and national security.

Team Plymouth partners include Babcock International Group, the Ministry of Defence, Plymouth City Council, the University of Plymouth, City College Plymouth and other major organisations. Together, they outlined ambitions to capitalise on unprecedented investment in marine autonomy, submarine maintenance and defence innovation.

Sir Chris Gardner KBE, CEO of the Submarine Delivery Agency and Senior Responsible Owner for Team Plymouth, said: “Today marks a proud and transformative moment for Plymouth and the wider South West as we officially launch Team Plymouth. As the SRO for this initiative, I am honoured to lead the Government’s contribution to a programme that will not only strengthen our national security but also unlock the full potential of this region. Backed by the Defence Growth Deal, Plymouth is one of five key defence communities receiving a share of £250 million in investment - recognising our strategic importance in marine autonomy and submarine maintenance, and our capacity to drive innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and build resilient supply chains.

“This is more than a defence initiative - it’s a whole-community effort. We are bringing together partners from across government, industry, education, and local leadership to deliver real change. With over £175 million already committed to regeneration and more to come, we are tackling housing, transport, skills, and economic inequality head-on. I call on all stakeholders - from major employers to local SMEs, schools, and universities - to join us with ambition and purpose. Together, as Team Plymouth, we will make this region one of the best places in the UK to live, work, and build a future in defence.”

Plymouth City Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE added: “The scale of the investment and opportunity is mind blowing and it is down to Team Plymouth to ensure that the prosperity that comes with this investment is spread across our neighbourhoods and that we work to provide the skills needed for these opportunities, that we have the housing supply for workers and that we use this once in a life time moment to lift people out of a cycle of poverty.”

Babcock’s Harry Holt, Chief Executive of its Nuclear Sector, said: “The announcement of Team Plymouth marks an important moment for the city and builds on the strong foundations already established through Growth Alliance Plymouth. By uniting as a city-wide alliance, we can achieve far more than we could individually and accelerate the pace of change.

“With significant investment for the UK's defence, Babcock is proud to play a central role in ensuring this delivers lasting benefits for Plymouth and beyond - strengthening national security while enabling our communities to prosper from the defence dividend.”

Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth, stressed the importance of skills: “Plymouth has always been central to the nation’s defence. By working closely with our partners, we are ensuring that young people and adults have the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to support national priorities in marine autonomy, advanced manufacturing and engineering, nuclear technologies, cyber security and construction.

“Plymouth is ideally placed to host one of the new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges. This will allow us to build on our city’s heritage, respond to the needs of industry, and help safeguard the nation’s security for generations to come.”

Professor Richard Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, said: “This is a game-changing moment for Plymouth and the University is proud to be supporting and enabling Team Plymouth’s ambitious objectives. Our city possesses the expertise, the facilities and the collective will to tackle the complex and varied threats the UK is currently facing. It also gives us the platform to drive innovation, education and creativity that will benefit the nation’s security and resilience in fields including autonomous marine systems, maritime cyber security, offshore renewable energy and environmental intelligence. Through such support and encouragement, we can all drive economic growth on an unprecedented scale.”

With access to a share of a £250 million Defence Growth Deal fund, as well as major projects including Babcock’s expansion at Sherford and the £4.4 billion investment into HM Naval Base Devonport, Team Plymouth is positioning the city as a hub for innovation, skills, and regeneration.