Defence Connect Membership

Terms & Conditions

Last updated: May 2026

These terms set out the basis on which Defence Connect operates and the terms governing engagement with Defence Connect, including membership, funding, events, and participation in its activities.

1. About Defence Connect

Defence Connect is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation and independent think tank. Its purpose is to facilitate informed discussion, research, and engagement across the defence and national security ecosystem, including industry, parliament, academia, and other stakeholders.

Defence Connect operates on a not-for-profit basis. Any income generated, including membership fees, is applied solely towards the furtherance of its objectives, activities, and operational costs. No profits are distributed to members, or individuals.

2. Independence, intellectual freedom and non-lobbying

Defence Connect is independent and non-partisan. It does not lobby, advocate, or seek to influence legislation or public policy on behalf of any member or third party.

Researchers, contributors, speakers, and advisers engaged by Defence Connect are free to develop and express their own ideas, analysis, and conclusions without interference. Partners and funders acknowledge and accept Defence Connect’s intellectual independence as a condition of engagement.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the views expressed in Defence Connect publications, research, events, or outputs are those of the author(s) or speaker(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Defence Connect, its directors, advisers, members, or funders.

3. Funding principles

Defence Connect seeks to maintain a diverse range of funding sources in order to safeguard its financial independence and avoid overreliance on any single funder or industry area.

Defence Connect reserves the right to decline funding or membership from any individual, company, institution which it reasonably considers to be hostile to the United Kingdom or inconsistent with its values or objectives.

Reasonable requests for confidentiality or anonymity from members or funders may be considered, provided that such arrangements do not compromise Defence Connect’s transparency, intellectual independence, or compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

4. Events and policymaker attendance

Defence Connect organises events, roundtables, and meetings involving a range of stakeholders. Attendance by policymakers, public officials, or other third parties cannot be guaranteed.

Defence Connect accepts no liability for non-attendance, cancellations, substitutions, or changes to speakers, participants, formats, or agendas, where such changes are reasonably necessary.

Due to capacity restrictions, only one representative from each company can attend each event, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Defence Connect may take photos at and record our events and reference quotes from speakers or attendees in our independent work, such as policy papers. Please let us know in writing if you do not give permission for this.

5. Membership

Memberships of Defence Connect are entered into for a fixed term of twelve (12) months from the date payment of the partnership fee is received, unless otherwise agreed in writing in an invoice.

Membership fees are payable in advance and are non-refundable, except in exceptional circumstances at Defence Connect’s sole discretion.

Membership does not imply endorsement of a member’s products, services, views, or conduct.

Defence Connect might use member company logos on our website, newsletter, policy papers and branding material to say that they are a member. We will assume we have consent for this unless you tell us otherwise, so please let us know in writing if you would prefer us not to do so.

6. No agency or authority

Nothing in these Terms of Reference creates any partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship between Defence Connect and any partner or participant. No party has authority to bind or represent Defence Connect.

7. Third-party actions and liability

Defence Connect accepts no responsibility or liability for the acts, omissions, products, services, or conduct of any partner, funder, speaker, participant, or other third party.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Defence Connect excludes all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided by third parties in connection with its activities.

8. Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, all intellectual property rights in materials produced by Defence Connect remain the property of Defence Connect. Materials may not be reproduced or distributed without prior written consent.

9. Confidentiality

Information shared in closed meetings or roundtables may be confidential. Participants agree not to disclose information indicated as such without prior consent, except where disclosure is required by law.

10. Governing law

These Terms of Reference are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

11. Changes to these Terms

Defence Connect reserves the right to amend these terms from time to time. Updated versions will be published on its website and take effect upon publication.

12. Agreement to these Terms

Payment via invoice or our website indicates that you have read and agree to these terms.