REG - Defence Holdings PLC - Appointment of Vice President

Defence HoldingsAnnouncement

27/08/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 7558W  Defence Holdings PLC   27 August 2025

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, as retained as part of the law of England and Wales. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 August 2025
London, UK
Defence Holdings PLC
("Defence" or "the Company")

Defence Holdings Appoints Richard Bassett as Vice President, Defence Programmes

Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT), the UK's first listed software-led defence company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard "Bertie" Bassett as Vice President, Defence Programmes, a move that materially enhances the Company's operational credibility, expands its senior military relationships, and accelerates its ability to secure frontline-driven defence contracts.
With over 26 years of distinguished military service followed by senior roles in the technology and defence sectors, Bertie brings unrivalled operational expertise, trusted relationships across defence and intelligence communities, and a proven track record in securing high-value contracts. His background uniquely positions Defence Holdings to bridge strategy, technology, along with the operational needs of defence and national security.
Key Highlights
●    26 years in Special Operations and senior strategic command roles, including the first-ever appointment as Command Sergeant Major at the strategic level of UK defence.

●    Unrivalled access and trusted relationships across senior defence and intelligence stakeholders in the UK and allied nations.

●    Proven track record in securing multimillion-pound defence contracts and shaping procurement strategies around frontline requirements.

●    Brings deep insight into defence programmes and requirements, ensuring Defence Holdings' technology roadmap stays closely aligned with operational needs and procurement priorities

 

●    Unique bridge between cutting-edge technology and military end-users, ensuring Defence Holdings' AI-enabled solutions are trusted, deployable, and built for mission-critical environments.

Career & Credentials
During a decorated military career, Bertie rose to Regimental Sergeant Major within a highly specialised maritime unit before being selected as the first-ever Command Sergeant Major at the strategic level of UK defence, giving him oversight of specialist capabilities and direct exposure to how decisions on force generation, operational readiness, and capability development are made for the most strategically sensitive missions. He retired from service in 2021.
Since then, he has built a successful career across defence and technology, helping companies secure and deliver contracts aligned to frontline needs. He currently also holds a role at Whitespace, Defence Holdings' strategic partner, where he has been instrumental in bringing AI-infrastructure innovation into defence and national security settings.

Strategic Significance for Defence Holdings
Bassett's appointment marks a major strengthening of Defence Holdings' ability to combine operational credibility with deep-technology execution.

 

His unparalleled insight into frontline priorities, combined with a deep
understanding of defence programmes and requirements, ensures Defence Holdings
remains tightly aligned with the capability needs that matter most to the UK
Ministry of Defence and NATO allies.

For investors, his appointment is clear evidence that Defence Holdings is attracting leadership talent of the highest calibre, embedding credibility that both accelerates procurement pathways and increases the Company's competitive advantage in securing sovereign AI and defence contracts.

Leadership Commentary

 

Richard Bassett, Vice President, Defence Programmes, Defence Holdings,
commented:

"I am honoured to be joining Defence Holdings at such a pivotal stage. It is
rare to see a company outside the traditional primes taken so seriously, and
in such a short space of time, at the highest levels of industry. Defence
Holdings is building something truly unique, and I look forward to ensuring
our capabilities remain tightly aligned to the operational realities faced by
the UK and allied forces."

 

Andy McCartney, Chief Technology Officer of Defence Holdings, added:

"Richard's appointment adds significant operational depth to our leadership
team. His credibility within the military, combined with his commercial
experience in defence technology, ensures we can align our product development
with the priorities of those on the front line and the procurement community.
This is a crucial step in accelerating our ability to deliver meaningful
applications at pace."

 

James Norwood, Chair of Defence Holdings, added:

"Bringing Richard on board as Vice President, Defence Programmes, reflects our
commitment to combining strategic leadership with deep operational expertise.
His appointment strengthens our ability to connect with key decision-makers,
guide our technology roadmap, and deliver on our five-year plan."

 

Grant of Warrants

The Company also announces the grant of 38,930,448 warrants over ordinary
shares of £0.001 each ("Ordinary Shares"), exercisable at the last placing
price of £0.00325 per share, for a period of five years from the date of
grant (the "Warrants"). Of the total 38,930,448 Warrants, 19,465,224 are being
granted to Richard Bassett as part of his appointment as Vice President of the
Company, and 19,465,224 Warrants are being granted to Andrew McCartney, the
Company's Chief Technology Officer. All Warrants will vest in line with the
Company's normal vesting schedule.

 

About Defence Holdings PLC (ALRT)

Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT) is the UK's first listed software-led defence
company. Its five-year strategic plan focuses on delivering sovereign digital
capabilities across national security, resilience, and defence readiness.

 

Media Enquiries
Brian Stockbridge,  Director

Defence Holdings PLC

Tel: +44 (0)20 3855 5551 · Email: press@defenceplc.com

 

 

 1.  Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely
     associated
 a)  Name                                                         Andrew McCartney
 2.  Reason for the Notification
 a)  Position/status                                              Director of Defence Holdings Plc
 b)  Initial notification / Amendment                             Initial notification
 3.  Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction
     platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
 a)  Name                                                         DEFENCE HOLDINGS PLC
 b)  LEI                                                          213800IE96YMHXDJ7H92
 4.  Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of
     instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each
     place where transactions have been conducted
 a)  Description of the Financial instrument, type of instrument  Ordinary Shares
     Identification Code                                          GB00BMWVF760
 b)  Nature of the transaction                                    Grant of Warrants over 19,465,225 Ordinary Shares with the exercise price
                                                                  of £0.00325
 c)  Price(s) and volume(s)

Price(s)  Volume(s)
                                                                  £0.00     19,465,225
 d)  Aggregated information:

     · Aggregated volume                                          N/A Single Transaction

     · Price
 e)  Date of the transaction                                      26 August 2025
 f)  Place of the Transaction                                     Outside of a trading venue

d)

Aggregated information:

· Aggregated volume

· Price

 

N/A Single Transaction

e)

Date of the transaction

26 August 2025

f)

Place of the Transaction

Outside of a trading venue

 

 

 1.  Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely
     associated
 a)  Name                                                         Richard Bassett
 2.  Reason for the Notification
 a)  Position/status                                              Vice President of Defence Holdings Plc
 b)  Initial notification / Amendment                             Initial notification
 3.  Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction
     platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
 a)  Name                                                         DEFENCE HOLDINGS PLC
 b)  LEI                                                          213800IE96YMHXDJ7H92
 4.  Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of
     instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each
     place where transactions have been conducted
 a)  Description of the Financial instrument, type of instrument  Ordinary Shares
     Identification Code                                          GB00BMWVF760
 b)  Nature of the transaction                                    Grant of Warrants over 19,465,225 Ordinary Shares with the exercise price
                                                                  of £0.00325
 c)  Price(s) and volume(s)

Price(s)  Volume(s)
                                                                  £0.00     19,465,225
 d)  Aggregated information:

     · Aggregated volume                                          N/A Single Transaction

     · Price
 e)  Date of the transaction                                      26 August 2025
 f)  Place of the Transaction                                     Outside of a trading venue

d)

Aggregated information:

· Aggregated volume

· Price

 

N/A Single Transaction

e)

Date of the transaction

26 August 2025

f)

Place of the Transaction

Outside of a trading venue

 

 

 

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