As part of our spotlight on partners within the Plymouth & South Devon Freeport, we spoke to Michael Hayes, Transformation and Programmes Director (Defence, UK & Europe), about Serco Defence’s role in the region, collaboration in practice, and what success looks like for the South West.
In simple terms, what role does Serco Defence play within the Freeport ecosystem?
We support the Royal Navy through the operation, management and maintenance of a significant fleet of vessels. That’s underpinned by a large workforce of highly skilled mariners, engineers and technical specialists based here in the South West.
Within the Freeport ecosystem, we’re focused on three connected challenges: modernising maritime operations and infrastructure, building a future-focused and technologically capable workforce, and strengthening integration across defence, academia and industry.
Innovation for us isn’t theoretical. It has to work safely and reliably in day-to-day operational reality.
What does meaningful local impact look like?
Impact is multidimensional. It’s long-term, stable employment across maritime, engineering, digital and technical roles. It’s strengthening capability and resilience for defence users operating from the region.
It’s also about developing a broader, more competitive local supply chain, creating opportunities for SMEs to scale, and modernising the maritime cluster so it’s ready for autonomy, green propulsion and data-driven operations.
At a regional level, success means positioning the South West as one of the UK’s most important centres for maritime innovation and defence support.
Can you share a tangible example of that impact?
Our apprenticeships and training pathways are a good example. They create structured entry routes for young people into maritime and engineering careers, with clear progression into senior operational and technical roles, all within the region.
More recently, our involvement in autonomy and uncrewed maritime systems has been significant. A lot of innovation is coming from highly capable SMEs developing new platforms and software.
Where we add value is through scale and operational experience. We act as an integrator providing vessels, mariner expertise and operational frameworks so those technologies can be trialled safely in real maritime environments.
That helps SMEs validate their innovations more quickly, attracts further trials and investment into the region, and creates upskilling opportunities for our own people in digital operations and systems integration.
How does being part of the Freeport ecosystem change what’s possible?
The Freeport provides a convening structure. Defence, commercial maritime, academia and local authorities are aligned around shared priorities.
That accelerates testing and adoption of green maritime solutions, autonomy and digital transformation. It reduces fragmentation and gives us a strategic framework to collaborate more effectively.
It allows us to help shape the region’s maritime future rather than simply operate within it.
What kinds of partners are you most keen to work with?
We’re particularly interested in firms developing autonomous and remotely operated maritime systems, digital innovators focused on predictive maintenance and operational analytics, and clean maritime technology companies working on low-carbon propulsion and sustainable fuels.
We also value specialist engineering SMEs and academic partners shaping the next generation of maritime professionals.
Skills are critical. How are you contributing locally?
We invest heavily in structured apprenticeships across maritime operations, engineering and technical support. We also focus on upskilling our existing workforce in digital competencies and modern maritime practices.
Importantly, we collaborate with educational institutions to help shape curricula aligned to future defence and maritime needs. We want people to be able to build long-term, high-value careers here in the South West.
What’s one misconception about your sector or Freeports you’d challenge?
There’s a perception that defence maritime is slow to modernise. In reality, operational demands often require rapid innovation.
There’s also a tendency to view Freeports primarily through tax incentives. In this region, the Freeport is best understood as an innovation ecosystem, encouraging organisations to work differently through new technologies, partnerships and talent pipelines.
Looking five to ten years ahead, what would success mean?
Success would mean the South West is widely recognised as the UK’s centre of excellence for maritime innovation and defence support, a place where capability is developed, tested and deployed.
Personally and professionally, it would mean we’ve helped secure long-term opportunity and relevance for a region with a strong maritime identity.
What makes this place different isn’t just capability, it’s the strength of relationships. Collaboration here is driven by shared purpose. That’s not something you can capture in a brochure.