Call to strengthen UK supply chains: Leading companies convene during Critical Infrastructure Security Month
MAP Director George Middleton with The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston and other attendees
Business and government leaders convened to strengthen the supply chains on which daily life depends and advance UK and international collaboration.
Discussions shaped priorities for supply chain resilience through international partnerships and enhanced SME engagement across all four nations of the UK.
CSG invites companies and partners to join its alliance and 2026 programme via www.criticalsupply.group/join-us
The Critical Supply Group (CSG) met to coincide with Critical Infrastructure Security Month (CISM) and called on companies and professionals to join its growing alliance to strengthen UK and international supply chains.
The meeting, chaired by Baroness Gisela Stuart, brought together 40 senior leaders from business and government across UK Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors to advance international partnerships, enable SME engagement and deepen practical collaboration for supply chain resilience and security.
Critical supply chains underpin the essential services that keep societies functioning — for example, from healthcare and transport to energy, digital networks and defence. Recent global shocks have revealed vulnerabilities in key components and international dependencies, reinforcing the need for coordinated, long-term resilience planning. With geopolitical uncertainty, resource constraints, climate disruption and declining public trust intensifying, resilience has become a core operational and strategic imperative.
CSG is a business-led, cross-sector alliance engaging more than 3,100 companies across 14 CNI sectors and multiple countries. Managed by MAP UK & International, it is supported by Made in Britain and Wilton Park, with further partners invited to join efforts to strengthen critical supply chain resilience.
“This meeting signals the commitment of those involved to resilient and secure supply chains” said George Middleton, MAP Director and the CSG’s lead convener. “By making targeted connections and enabling collaboration between companies – and between business and government – we are strengthening the critical supply chains on which daily life depends.”
The UK marks Critical Infrastructure Security Month for the second year, alongside partners in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, recognising the shared responsibility to protect and strengthen these essential systems.
Building on activity developed over the last 18 months, CSG will lead a 2026 programme of projects, UK regional roundtables and international engagement.
Companies and other organisations seeking to strengthen to supply-chain resilience and security are invited to visit www.criticalsupply.group, make contact via info@mapukinternational.com and take part in CSG’s 2026 programme.
Made in Britain CEO John Pearce said:
“I’ve been both pleased and proud to support the development of CSG, seeing collaboration as both essential and urgent for the long-term resilience of UK supply chains, within which British manufacturing companies, especially the SMEs, play an integral part.”
Wilton Park CEO Tom Cargill said:
“Wilton Park is increasingly focused on bringing together partners to boost UK growth and resilience. Supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks threaten essential systems both within the UK and for our allies. That's why we're pleased to be supporting the CSG and are facilitating vital work in this area.”
Notes:
Photos from the meeting and more details are available on request, including on plans for activities in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and internationally in 2026.
Contact us – the Critical Supply Group welcomes collaboration across sectors, industries and borders, including via strategic partnership and targeted projects. Contact us to explore opportunities to collaborate with CSG.
Website: www.criticalsupply.group
Email: info@mapukinternational.com
Made in Britain – a leading UK industry body, representing more than 2,200 UK manufacturing companies. It brings together the British manufacturing community under the registered Made in Britain trademarks, promoting quality, innovation, and responsible business across the UK.
Website: www.madeinbritain.org
Wilton Park – an executive agency of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Wilton Park brings together experts to address the most complex and important global challenges.
Website: www.wiltonpark.org.uk
MAP UK & International – trade and supply specialists, delivering strategic solutions that strengthen business resilience, sustainability and growth. The London-based company works with governments, SMEs and multinationals. MAP advises Made in Britain and has worked closely with Wilton Park since August 2022.
Professor Aris Matopoulos joins MAP as an Adviser
MAP is delighted to announce that Professor Aristides (Aris) Matopoulos has joined as an Adviser, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience to support MAP’s work on strengthening supply chain resilience.
Aris (BSc, DIC, MSc, PgCert, PhD, SFHEA, FCILT) is Professor of Supply Chain Design and Director of the Agile Supply Chain Research Club at Cranfield University. Before joining Cranfield, Aris held several senior roles at Aston University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, including Head of the Department of Engineering Systems and Supply Chain Management and Director of the Aston Logistics and Systems Institute. He is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (UK), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK), and a Member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (US).
In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship, collaborating with Williams Advanced Engineering (now Fortescue) to develop advanced supplier assessment capabilities.
Aris’s research focuses on the implementation of Design for Supply Chain and Logistics principles, particularly the influence of supply chain design on resource efficiency and resilience, and the alignment of technology development with manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. His innovative contributions—including the development of the Supply Chain Readiness Levels (SCRL) tool—have enabled him to translate complex supply chain challenges into actionable strategic solutions, supporting more than 100 companies across sectors.
His research has been widely published in leading logistics and supply chain management journals, covering key sectors and themes such as advanced engineering and manufacturing (automotive, aerospace, defence), sustainable and carbon-efficient supply chains, future supply chain trends and scenarios, and humanitarian logistics.
By bringing in his expert knowledge, MAP is able to strengthen its offer to its clients and partners, including via the Critical Supply Group.
MAP UK & International delivers strategic trade and supply solutions that strengthen resilience, sustainability and growth. We do this through providing advice, intelligence and project management, as well as managing relationships between buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.
New MAP report identifies strong UK manufacturing interest in Ukraine
MAP Director George Middleton with Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine
A new report by Made in Britain and MAP UK & International (MAP) shows that UK manufacturers are ready to explore partnerships with Ukrainian companies, both to support ongoing industrial resilience during the war and to contribute to Ukraine’s long-term economic rebuilding.
Despite the challenges posed by Russia’s illegal invasion, the sample survey of UK manufacturing firms keen to work with Ukraine shows 96% are interested in selling and exporting products to Ukraine, demonstrating clear commercial intent and commitment to engagement.
The report has been produced by MAP as part of its work for Made in Britain and Made in Ukraine, in close coordination with the Ukrainian government’s Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture. You can read more about this collaboration on the Made in Britain website: https://www.madeinbritain.org/news/ukraine-and-made-in-britain-agreement-dec-24.
“This research highlights that British companies are ready to engage with Ukraine now — not only when the war ends,” says George Middleton, Director of MAP and Advisor to Made in Britain. “Industry plays a critical role in maintaining Ukraine’s economy and production capabilities, as well as creating the foundations for future recovery.”
Key findings include:
The survey of UK manufacturing firms interested to work with Ukraine finds:
96% are interested in exporting products to Ukraine.
18% are interested in buying products or services from Ukrainian exporters.
23% are open to offering Ukrainian firms manufacturing facilities in the UK.
25% are willing to be twinned with a Ukrainian business to share expertise and provide practical support.
However, only 7% of companies surveyed are currently trading with Ukraine. The most common barriers include the absence of Ukrainian distributors, challenges identifying buyers, and logistical and insurance issues linked to the conflict. Further, 80% are unaware of the UK-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement.
Private-sector partnerships are essential to sustain Ukraine’s manufacturing sector during wartime and to address supply gaps in key industries such as construction, defence, energy, and manufacturing equipment. These collaborations help keep production moving and build the capacity needed for reconstruction.
Get in touch:
MAP invites the interest of strategic partners to help turn this strong interest into active business connections between UK and Ukrainian manufacturers.
To learn more about how to partner with MAP or support this initiative, please contact info@mapukinternational.com.
ENDS.
Notes to Editor:
Made in Britain – represents more than 2,200 UK manufacturing companies. It brings together the British manufacturing community under the registered Made in Britain trademarks, promoting quality, innovation, and responsible business across the UK.
Website: www.madeinbritain.org
Made in Ukraine – is a national initiative led by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine to strengthen domestic production, support Ukrainian manufacturers, and promote Ukrainian-made goods at home and abroad. The programme encourages investment, innovation, and international partnerships that contribute to Ukraine’s economic resilience and long-term recovery.
Website: https://madeinukraine.gov.ua/
MAP UK & International – delivers strategic trade and supply solutions that strengthen business resilience, sustainability, and growth. The London-based company works with governments, SMEs and multinationals. It advises Made in Britain and has worked closely with Made in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy since July 2024.
Website: www.mapukinternational.com
Media Contact:
Ellie Catherall
MAP UK & International
Email: info@mapukinternational.com
Phone: +44 (0)7471 605 279
MAP helps UK SMEs export to India
MAP has supported 20+ UK companies to explore new export opportunities and overcome market access barriers in India through partnering with the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Free Trade Agreement Utilisation Team.
The signing of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in May has opened up opportunities for UK companies through easier exports and reduced tariffs and is expected to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion.
India is the UK’s 11th biggest export market, which was worth £17.5 billion in 2024. The size of India’s economy makes it an attractive market for UK exporters, with a range of exciting export opportunities across a large number of sectors.
DBT’s FTA Utilisation Team helps to ensure that UK exporters understand and utilise the UK’s free trade agreements when expanding into new markets.
MAP works closely with a range of partners and stakeholders around the world, including via its role advising Made in Britain on international trade and supply chains. Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of 2,200 UK manufacturing companies.
MAP UK & International delivers strategic trade and supply solutions that strengthen resilience, sustainability and growth. We do this through providing advice, intelligence and project management, as well as managing relationships between buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.
MAP brings UK manufacturing SMEs together with Rolls-Royce
MAP has connected more that 115 UK manufacturing SMEs with Rolls-Royce to find out how to supply one of the UK’s most iconic engineering and technology companies.
Rolls-Royce is at the forefront of engineering innovation that supports critical national infrastructure, international trade and global connectivity. It has a has a proud history of powering the UK and it is a key part of the wider supply chain for innovation across the country.
Today, the company is focused on seizing once-in-a-generation opportunities across defence and civil aerospace, while also advancing low-carbon and sustainable solutions in power systems.
For UK manufacturers, Rolls-Royce represents a vital partner and an opportunity to engage in some of the most strategically important programmes of our time.
MAP’s work with Rolls-Royce comes via its role advising Made in Britain on supply chains. Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of more than 2,200 UK manufacturing companies.
MAP UK & International delivers strategic trade and supply solutions that strengthen resilience, sustainability and growth. We do this through providing advice, intelligence and project management, as well as managing relationships between buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.