Tillkännagivande • Jun 18
Defence Holdings Unveils Meridian Capability Acceleration Programme and Launches Dedicated Digital Platform Defence Holdings PLC announced that its capability acceleration programme, which opened for applications on 15 June 2026, will operate under the official identity "Meridian". The Company has also launched a dedicated digital platform providing founders, partners and stakeholders with access to detailed information on the programme's operating model, participation criteria, application process, ecosystem partners and future milestones. Defence Holdings' capability acceleration programme was unveiled under the Meridian identity. A dedicated digital platform was launched providing access to programme information, participation criteria, ecosystem partners and future milestones. Applications are open for the programme's first participants. Meridian is designed to provide emerging defence and dual-use technology companies with access to customer insight, capital support and operational infrastructure. Meridian forms part of Defence Holdings' broader strategy to identify, support and accelerate emerging defence and dual-use technologies capable of addressing operational requirements across defence, national security and resilience markets. The commencement of the programme represents a further milestone in the execution of the Defence Holdings Playbook and the Company's strategy of supporting the development and deployment of emerging sovereign capability. Meridian has been established to help address challenges by bringing together customer access, capital support and operational infrastructure within a single framework. Meridian has not been designed as a traditional accelerator programme. The Company intends to work with a limited number of carefully selected participants, reflecting the specialised nature of defence and national security markets and the programme's emphasis on long-term capability development rather than cohort scale. Selection criteria will focus on technologies capable of addressing meaningful operational requirements across defence, national security and resilience markets and supporting the development of emerging sovereign capability. The commencement of Meridian follows the Company's recently announced partnerships with Oracle and IMSL, which together establish important elements of the programme ecosystem. Oracle serves as Meridian's hyperscale cloud partner, while IMSL supports the programme through procurement framework access, accredited operating environments, bid support and specialist operational expertise. Meridian is also intended to provide Oracle Defence Ecosystem members with an accelerated pathway into the programme, creating additional opportunities for emerging technology companies seeking to establish or expand their presence within the UK defence and national security market. Together, these partnerships provide foundational components of the infrastructure underpinning Meridian and support Defence Holdings' objective of helping emerging defence and dual-use technology companies progress towards commercial and operational deployment. Applications for Meridian are now open through the programme's dedicated digital platform. The platform serves as the primary point of engagement for founders, partners and stakeholders, providing access to programme information, participation criteria, ecosystem partners, application processes and future programme milestones. The programme is designed for emerging defence and dual-use technology companies developing capabilities with the potential to address operational requirements across defence, security and resilience markets. Applications will be reviewed by Defence Holdings and relevant programme partners against a range of factors including strategic relevance, technology applicability, commercial potential and the extent to which participation in Meridian could accelerate the company's path towards customer engagement, contract award and operational deployment. The Company intends Meridian to work with a limited number of carefully selected participants, reflecting the programme's emphasis on tailored support and long-term engagement. Tillkännagivande • Feb 06
Defence Holdings PLC Announces Appointment of Andrew Roughanas Chief Executive Officer, Effective 30 March 2026 Defence Holdings PLC announced the appointment of Andrew Roughanas Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective 30 March 2026. As previously announced on 24 December 2025, the Board conducted a comprehensive and targeted search process for a Chief Executive Officer. Following completion of contractual arrangements and customary regulatory and background checks, Andrew Roughan will formally assume the role at the end of First Quarter 2026. Andrew Roughan is a senior executive with extensive experience across the UK Government's science and technology priority agenda, including deep experience in defence, national security, and critical national infrastructure. Since 2018, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Plexal, a UK-based innovation company working closely with government, defence and national security stakeholders. In this role, he led multi-disciplinary teams delivering technology and innovation programmes within regulated and security-sensitive environments and oversaw the organisation's growth and operational development. Andrew was part of the founding team of Here East, a major technology and innovation campus developed as part of the UK Government's Olympic legacy programme, where he held senior operational and commercial leadership responsibilities. Earlier in his career, Andrew held senior management roles within the telecoms and data centre sectors, including positions at Cable & Wireless and international data centre operators, with responsibilities spanning commercial strategy, operations and large-scale infrastructure delivery. Andrew Roughan's experience reinforces Defence Holdings' leadership capacity as the Company enters a phase focused on programme delivery and scale. His background leading government-aligned technology organizations through periods of growth and organisational scaling, and delivering complex initiatives within regulated and security-sensitive environments, aligns closely with the operational and commercial demands of Defence Holdings' strategy. The Board believes Andrew's leadership, institutional relationships and experience negotiating within complex stakeholder environments will strengthen the Company's ability to engage with government, defence and industry partners and to execute its strategy with discipline and credibility. Tillkännagivande • Jan 24
Defence Holdings plc Appoints Jim Clover Obe to Advisory Board Defence Holdings Plc announces the appointment of Jim Clover OBE to its Advisory Board. Jim Clover OBE is a former UK national security and cyber operations senior leader with over 25 years' experience across cyber operations, open-source intelligence and digital forensics. He served as Deputy Director of Cyber Operations within HM Government, holding senior responsibility for the design and execution of cyber and digital activity in support of UK Defence and national security objectives, including work with allied partners. He was awarded an OBE for services to UK and overseas national security. He now works independently with organizations operating in complex, regulated and mission-critical environments, advising senior leaders and technical teams on cybersecurity and technology challenges, with a particular focus on the responsible development and deployment of AI-enabled software. Jim's appointment strengthens the Advisory Board's depth of experience across Defence, national security and cyber operations, directly supporting Defence Technologies' expanding role in defence-led programmes. His experience operating at the interface between Defence, government and advanced technology development supports Defence Holdings as it advances software-defined capabilities aligned to Defence priorities, engages on sensitive, mission-critical requirements within Defence and allied environments, and strengthens execution capability across defence-focused national security work. The appointment further reinforces Defence Holdings' emphasis on defence-grade leadership, governance and advisory depth as the Company progresses from capability development into deployment-aligned delivery. Defence Holdings recently announced the establishment of a National Security pillar within Defence Technologies, focused on applying sovereign software and AI capabilities to Defence-led national security challenges. Jim's appointment adds senior-level insight into how such capabilities are shaped, governed and deployed within Defence contexts, reinforcing the Company's emphasis on Defence-first delivery, operational relevance and responsible use of advanced software in national security missions. Tillkännagivande • Sep 19
Defence Holdings PLC, Annual General Meeting, Oct 14, 2025 Defence Holdings PLC, Annual General Meeting, Oct 14, 2025. Location: the offices of fladgate llp, 16 great queen street, wc2b 5dg, london United Kingdom Tillkännagivande • Sep 13
Defence Holdings PLC Announces First AI Product Build in Information Operations Defence Holdings PLC announced the launch of its first sovereign AI product build, Project Ixian. Project Ixian is the first in a growing portfolio of sovereign AI-enabled applications under Defence Technologies and targets information operations, one of the most urgent and contested domains in modern defence. Information operations encompass the control, distortion, or denial of information as a means to destabilise societies, undermine institutions, and paralyse adversaries. They span disinformation, cyber activity, narrative manipulation, and digital sabotage, and have been identified in the UK Strategic Defence Review 2025 as a critical threat vector requiring urgent sovereign capability. Project Ixian marks a commercially significant opportunity with long-term deployment potential in the wider defence, national security, and private sectors. Development of the product has been carried out in collaboration with one of the world's Magnificent 7 technology leaders. Whitespace engineers have worked directly with the partner's engineering team to integrate AI-native cloud infrastructure into Project Ixian, embedding hyperscale capability from inception. This collaboration gives Project Ixian sovereign-grade resilience and scalability from day one, positioning Defence Technologies as one of the very few emerging defence companies able to operate at the scale of the primes. By building on infrastructure already relied upon by governments, telecoms, and critical industries worldwide, the product is proven to perform at allied scale. Importantly, the product has not been developed in isolation. The build has been shaped through workshops with frontline end-users in the UK military, ensuring that its design directly reflects operational requirements. This approach ensures true product-market fit, with capabilities aligned to the challenges that matter most to those on the ground, not just those in planning rooms. Project Ixian will enter its first phase of value realisation in December, marking a key milestone in its commercial rollout. Tillkännagivande • Sep 04
Defence Holdings plc to Unveil to the Global Defence Community At Dsei 2025 Its First AI Product Defence Holdings PLC will unveil to the global defence community at DSEI 2025 its first AI product, already in active development for the UK Ministry of Defence. The product is being developed by Defence Technologies, the newly branded platform formed through Defence Holdings' strategic partnership with Whitespace Global Limited. The first product is being developed in collaboration with one of the world's Magnificent 7 technology leaders. Engineers from Whitespace and the hyperscale partner are working side by side to integrate its cloud infrastructure, built natively for AI workloads, directly into the build. While the partner cannot be named at this stage due to disclosure restrictions, it is one of the world's most recognised technology companies, with infrastructure already embedded across governments, defence, and critical industries worldwide. Defence Holdings anticipates providing further details in future announcements as the collaboration progresses. This joint approach ensures hyperscale performance, resilience, and security are embedded from day one, positioning Defence Technologies as one of the very few emerging defence platforms able to operate at the same scale as the primes. By leveraging infrastructure already trusted globally, the platform is not only sovereign and secure, but also proven to operate at allied scale. The unveiling of Defence Technologies' first product at DSEI marks a defining moment in the partnership's trajectory. Defence Holdings is not talking about future intent, it is already actively building for the UK Ministry of Defence, with a number of additional product discussions now underway across priority domains. This activity demonstrates that the Company is being trusted with some of the most urgent challenges in UK defence today. Equally significant is the role of a Magnificent 7 hyperscale partner, working directly with Whitespace's engineering team on this first product. Their AI and cloud infrastructure underpins some of the world's most advanced data-driven systems and is increasingly embedded across government and national security environments. By drawing this capability into the Defence Technologies platform, the product is being built on infrastructure already relied upon by global innovators, critical industries, and allied governments, embedding credibility, resilience, and scalability from day one. Together, these two milestones position Defence Holdings as one of the very few UK companies with the credibility, partnerships, and market access to build sovereign AI applications at the speed and scale demanded by modern defence. This first product is the foundation of a wider portfolio designed to transform how the UK and its allies generate, deploy, and sustain digital capability on the front line. Tillkännagivande • Aug 18
Defence Holdings plc Appoints Andrew McCartney as Chief Technology Officer, Effective 18 August 2025 Defence Holdings PLC announced the appointment of Andrew McCartney as Chief Technology Officer ("CTO"), effective 18 August 2025. McCartney is a recognised pioneer in AI infrastructure for national security, having co-founded Whitespace, a UK-based deep-technology company delivering generative AI capabilities into defence, public sector, and highly regulated industries. A former CEO of Microsoft Ventures UK, he brings decades of experience building, scaling, and deploying secure, sovereign AI systems in complex, mission-critical environments. Andrew McCartney is the Co-Founder of Whitespace, a UK deep-technology company delivering AI-native infrastructure into defence, national security, and regulated public sector environments. Since 2015, McCartney has built mission-critical platforms for organizations operating in complex, data-rich environments where insight, security, and interoperability are non-negotiable. Under McCartney's leadership, Whitespace has: Delivered AI platforms now actively supporting frontline Ministry of Defence Operations. ? Integrated Collective OS, its proprietary AI platform, into live national security networks. Joined the Oracle Defence Ecosystem as a founding member, expanding allied technology collaboration. Been selected for the UK Ministry of Defence's "Engine for Growth" programme, accelerating sovereign innovation into frontline operations. Prior to founding Whitespace, McCartney served as the inaugural CEO of Microsoft Ventures UK, launching the company's first global innovation hub outside the United States. Over three decades, he has built and scaled frontier technology ventures spanning AI, cyber resilience, and sovereign-grade digital infrastructure. Tillkännagivande • May 30
Defence Holdings Plc has completed a Follow-on Equity Offering in the amount of £4 million. Defence Holdings Plc has completed a Follow-on Equity Offering in the amount of £4 million.
Security Name: Ordinary Shares
Security Type: Common Stock
Securities Offered: 923,076,923
Price\Range: £0.00325
Security Name: Ordinary Shares
Security Type: Common Stock
Securities Offered: 307,692,308
Price\Range: £0.00325
Transaction Features: Subsequent Direct Listing Tillkännagivande • Oct 16
DCB Sports, LLC acquired Assets of Guild Esports Plc from Guild Esports Plc (LSE:GILD). DCB Sports, LLC signed a letter of intent to acquire Assets of Guild Esports Plc from Guild Esports Plc (LSE:GILD) for £2.1 million on August 5, 2024. Guild Esports inform shareholders that DCB Sports LLC has acquired 100% of the assets of Guild Esports in exchange for assuming all disclosed liabilities of the Company, which stand in excess of £2 million, and an immediate cash payment of £0.1 million to the PLC. Under the terms of agreement, DCB Sports, LLC will acquire 100% of the assets of Guild Esports as well as assuming all disclosed liabilities of the Company (the "Transaction"). The Transaction remains subject to, amongst other things, entering into a definitive legal agreement and the completion of a comprehensive due diligence.
DCB Sports, LLC completed the acquisition of Assets of Guild Esports Plc from Guild Esports Plc (LSE:GILD) on October 16, 2024. Tillkännagivande • Mar 05
Guild Esports Plc, Annual General Meeting, Mar 28, 2024 Guild Esports Plc, Annual General Meeting, Mar 28, 2024, at 10:00 Coordinated Universal Time. Location: offices of Fladgate LLP at 16 Great Queen Street London United Kingdom Tillkännagivande • Jan 29
Guild Esports Plc Announces Executive Changes Guild Esports Plc announced the appointment of Nathan Pillai as Special Advisor to the Board of Directors with immediate effect. Mr. Pillai has more than two decades' experience as an operator, builder and investor of blue-chip sport and entertainment properties including Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Williams Racing, World Rally Championship and SailGP. He also has significant exposure to capital markets and high growth territories. Mr. Pillai is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Caerus Ventures ("Caerus"), an early stage investor and developer of key technologies transforming sport, music, entertainment and gaming. Caerus recently partnered with Swiss non-profit, the NEAR Foundation, to launch their first fund. Previously, Mr. Pillai led M&A and new ventures across the sports and entertainment spectrum in his role as Head of Global Business Development at Endeavor-owned IMG. While at Endeavor, he sat on the board of FC Diez, the football media company established to operate the Champions League for UEFA's equivalent in Latin America, CONMEBOL. Mr. Pillai additionally served as the operating partner for Endeavor's early stage-investment into SailGP, the racing league owned by Oracle's Co-Founder and former CEO, Larry Ellison. In under three seasons he led a team which helped grow broadcast coverage to over 190 territories, increased commercial revenues, doubled the number of races and sold teams to the likes of F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Mr. Pillai's extensive experience across motor sport, the Middle East and transformative technologies aligns with Guild's strategic expansion into new growth territories and industries. Mr. Pillai joins as Special Advisor to the Board alongside Stephen Duval, who has served as Special Advisor since his appointment in July 2023. Mr. Duval's 25 years of experience across the sports, media and entertainment industries in Europe and the US, where he has deployed and advised on deals with an aggregate value in excess of $5 billion, continues to bolster Guild. Jocelin Caldwell, will be stepping down from the Board and leaving the Company with immediate effect to focus on her other business interests. The Company intends to appoint a replacement Non-Executive Director and a further announcement will be made in due course. Tillkännagivande • Jan 15
Guild Esports Appoints Glynn Jones as Director of Agency Partnerships for Guild Studios, Effective 29 January 2024 Guild Esports Plc announced the appointment of Glynn Jones as Director of Agency Partnerships for Guild Studios, the Company's in-house production and creative division, with effect from 29 January 2024. Mr. Jones is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience working both agency and client-side across the digital industry. Most recently, Mr. Jones served as Agency Partnerships Lead for the UK at Snap Inc. ("Snap"), the social media company which developed and operates social media platform Snapchat. At Snap, he managed commercial partnerships with major agency holding companies and identified new revenue opportunities by onboarding new brands as well as scaling existing advertisers. Snapchat is used by 90% of 13-24-year-olds in the UK, providing him with valuable exposure to Guild's Gen Z target audience (source: Snap Inc., 2023). Mr. Jones has additional advertising and client management experience from his previous roles as Social Advertising Director at communications agency Manning Gottlieb OMD and as Social Media Manager at media network group Starcom, where he led award-winning digital campaigns for clients including PlayStation, Sony Music, Starbucks, Samsung International and P&G. Tillkännagivande • Feb 09
Guild Esports Plc, Annual General Meeting, Mar 03, 2023 Guild Esports Plc, Annual General Meeting, Mar 03, 2023, at 10:00 Coordinated Universal Time. Location: at the offices of Fladgate LLP at 16 Great Queen Street London United Kingdom Tillkännagivande • Jan 10
Guild Esports plc Announces Management Appointments Guild Esports Plc announced that it has strengthened its senior leadership team with three senior management hires to support the next stage of the company's growth. These three hires have been introduced by Jasmine Skee, whose appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Guild became effective at the start of 2023. Luke Jones has been appointed Director of Esports and Gaming at the company, effective from 30 January 2023. Mr. Jones has considerable experience in the esports sector, previously working as Senior Gaming and Esports Manager at Formula One team Red Bull Racing and at Red Bull Technology, where he was responsible for leading strategic planning, new business development and execution of Red Bull Racing's esports and gaming programme across all platforms. His additional experience includes Digital Partnerships Director at live event company Live Nation Entertainment, where he delivered integrated advertising solutions across its digital network and as Digital Account Manager at multimedia company Bauer Media Group. Nick Westwood has been appointed Senior Vice President of Creative and Strategy at the company, effective immediately. Mr. Westwood has joined Guild on a permanent basis following a period providing creative consultancy. Mr. Westwood joins from RYFX Media, where he worked with and delivered events and production for major sports and esports organisations. Prior to this he held senior content and creative executive roles, and positions at leading media companies including NBC, Universal, Sky UK and ITN. Georgia Morison will assume the role of Head of Events and HQ at the company, with the appointment to take effect from 6 February. Ms. Morison has an impressive background in events management, gained from her experience as Head of Premium Services at the O2 Arena in London for Levy UK and as Logistics Co-ordinator at brand experience agency Jack Morton Worldwide. Ms. Morison also benefits from deep knowledge of the esports sector gained from her senior role at Gfinity, leading events for high profile clients including the Formula One Esports Series, ePremier League, FUT Champions World Cup and Call of Duty World League. The new appointees will report directly into CEO Jasmine Skee. 
