To mark the occasion, we are highlighting our partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), which was selected as our 2026 company charity. Supporting organisations that create lasting impact is an important part of our commitment to creating social value.

Through this partnership, we are proud to support the BHF’s mission to fund life-saving research into heart and circulatory diseases while providing vital support to the millions of people affected by these conditions.

Together, we are making a positive difference through a range of initiatives, including:

• Employee-led charity selection: Our annual charity partner is chosen through staff voting, giving colleagues a direct role in deciding which cause we support
• Employee wellbeing activities: Initiatives such as our Thursday Lunchtime Run Club and free weekly Pilates classes encourage colleagues to stay active and support heart health
• Fundraising and volunteering: Colleagues take part in charity events, challenges and community activities throughout the year to raise funds and give back
  • Later this month, our Extra Mile Cycling Challenge will take place, raising vital funds for the BHF
• Raising awareness: Through our digital platforms and internal communications, we are promoting the BHF’s vital work and encouraging wider support

International Day of Charity is a reminder that every contribution can make a meaningful difference, whether that means giving our time, fundraising, volunteering or simply raising awareness.

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Working alongside parent group Cicor, STS Defence will be organising a local cleanup on Friday 18th September 2026, with a team of employees heading to Walpole Park in Gosport at 11:00 to take part in a park clean to help keep the local area tidy.

Managing Director Ben Stancliffe said, “World Clean-up Day is an ideal opportunity for our team to contribute to a global movement while making a tangible difference in our local community. Environmental responsibility is an important part of how we do business, and we’re proud to support initiatives that help protect the places where we live and work. I’d like to thank everyone taking part and representing STS Defence in this year’s event.”

World Clean-up Day brings together volunteers, organisations, and communities across the globe to tackle litter, reduce waste, and inspire positive environmental action. By taking part, STS Defence reinforces its commitment to environmental responsibility and supporting the local community.

(Photo taken at the 2025 World Clean-up Day down Stokes Bay, Gosport – courtesy of That’s TV Solent.)

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“It’s great to be taking part in the Extra Mile Challenge once again, especially in support of a cause that has such a positive impact in our local community, and we’re incredibly proud of our team members who’ve stepped forward to take on this challenge,” said Managing Director Ben Stancliffe.

*75% of the funds raised will go directly to the British Heart Foundation with the remaining 25% benefiting the wider network of projects supported by Club Peloton

A photo of the STS Defence team at last year’s Extra Mile Challenge

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STS Defence is proud to announce the successful renewal of our Cyber Essentials Plus certification for 2026, having once again passed the rigorous independent assessment. We have maintained this advanced accreditation for a number of years, reflecting our ongoing commitment to protecting our systems, data and customers.

“Successfully renewing our Cyber Essentials Plus certification year after year demonstrates our unwavering commitment to cyber security,” said Rob Ackroyd, Service Delivery Manager at STS Defence. “As cyber threats continue to develop, we remain focused on maintaining the highest standards of protection for our business and our customers. This achievement is a testament to the expertise, professionalism, and dedication of our IT team, who continually work to strengthen our security posture.”

Maintaining Cyber Essentials Plus provides our customers and partners with confidence that STS Defence continues to implement industry-recognised security controls, independently verified through comprehensive testing. As cyber security remains a critical priority across the defence sector, we will continue to invest in the people, processes and technologies that help safeguard the services we deliver.

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This year’s INWED theme, “Engineering Intelligence”, highlights the creativity, innovation and problem-solving capabilities that drive engineering forward.

We commend our talented female engineers within our organisation. Through their dedication, technical expertise and engineering intelligence, they continue to drive progress across our industry and serve as role models for the next generation of engineers. Their contributions are instrumental in advancing technology, strengthening capability and delivering innovative solutions that support our customers and the wider defence sector.

At STS Defence, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where individuals can develop their skills, progress their careers and achieve their full potential.

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One of the company’s offerings is the Thursday Lunchtime Run Club, a fun and inclusive way for staff to step away from their desks, stretch their legs, and recharge with colleagues. Open to runners of all levels, participants enjoy the fresh sea air and scenic waterfront views while connecting with teammates.

Employees can also take advantage of a free weekly Pilates class. This low-impact workout helps improve flexibility, strengthen core muscles, enhance posture, and reduce stress, supporting overall health and wellbeing.

To keep energy levels high during the day, fresh fruit is provided twice a week, giving staff a simple, nutritious boost to maintain focus and productivity.

For those looking to make commuting part of a healthy routine, the Bike to Work scheme encourages active travel. With an office conveniently located for walking, cycling, or public transport, employees can start their day energised and stress-free.

Through these programmes, STS Defence fosters a culture where health and wellbeing are integral to both individual and team success, ensuring employees thrive on and off the job.

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The 2025 cohort has already made a significant impact across the business, demonstrating strong technical capability, enthusiasm, and a commitment to learning. Over the past year, our apprentices have contributed to live engineering projects, developed core technical competencies, and integrated seamlessly into multidisciplinary teams, highlighting the value of investing in the next generation of engineering talent.

Building on this success, the 2026 programme continues STS Defence’s commitment to innovation, workforce development, and the ongoing growth of the UK’s engineering sector. Our apprentices will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts while gaining hands-on experience in advanced engineering processes, emerging technologies, and real-world problem-solving.

The programme combines structured academic learning with practical, on-the-job training, enabling participants to develop the technical skills and industry knowledge needed to support our mission of delivering reliable, innovative, and sustainable solutions to its clients.

Reflecting on her experience so far, current apprentice Lesley said:
“STS Defence is a versatile company that allows me to be myself, and allows me the opportunity demonstrate a range of personal skills, including leadership, communication, and drawing, as well as my understanding of certain technical terms. I have been able to deepen my knowledge by learning how these technical concepts are applied across different sectors and areas of the workplace. This experience highlights just how valuable hands-on industry exposure can be.”

Sean Scott, Head of Human Resources at STS Defence, commented on the new intake: “Following the fantastic progress and achievements of our 2025 apprentices, we’re delighted to launch the 2026 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Programme. Our apprentices have shown just how valuable fresh perspectives and enthusiasm can be within the business. This programme is about more than just education, it’s about inspiring creativity, encouraging innovation, and giving talented individuals the opportunity to work on meaningful projects in both the defence and commercial sectors. We’re proud to invest in the engineers of tomorrow.”

Apply Now

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Organised by Portsmouth Harbour CIC, the Gosport Marine Festival has been a key local event for over a decade, celebrating the town’s maritime heritage and coastal culture. It attracts visitors of all ages with free, hands-on water activities such as sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat tours, led by experienced instructors. Both fun and educational, the festival offers an accessible introduction to water sports while highlighting local marine clubs and organisations.

STS Defence is proud to support the Gosport Marine Festival and establish a partnership with Portsmouth Harbour Marine CIC to celebrate the rich maritime heritage and culture of Gosport.

Managing Director of STS Defence, Ben Stancliffe, says, “We’re proud to be supporting this year’s Gosport Marine Festival, a wonderful occasion that celebrates our town’s deep-rooted maritime heritage while bringing the community together. It’s a privilege to play a role in an event that highlights both longstanding traditions and forward-looking innovation along the waterfront.”

Mark Goulding, Director of Portsmouth Harbour Marine CIC that runs Gosport Marine Festival, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from STS Defence as we aim to make this year’s festival the best one yet. As the festival grows year-on-year we are now offering up to 3,000 different free activities across our waterfront. Having support from local organisations like STS Defence makes this continued growth possible.”

Graphic credit: Portsmouth Harbour Marine CIC

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Together, we deliver integrated through-life support across the defence sector, supported by proven expertise across surface, sub-surface and air platforms. Visitors to E44 will discover how our combined capabilities create a seamless, end-to-end partnership, from advanced electronics design and manufacturing to in-service support and modernisation.

Our joint offering includes:

• Our commitment to modernising by designing, developing, and enhancing capability using cutting-edge technologies
• Our manufacturing capability, which provides customers with a resilient supply chain across three FSC sites; integrating, fabricating, assembling and testing consoles, cabinets, box builds, PCBAs, and cable harnesses for mission-critical systems
• Our expert approach to sustaining communications and electronic warfare equipment/systems, in accordance with MoD Integrated Logistics Support requirements

Our collective capability is built on deep expertise in advanced electronics across the full product lifecycle. From complex, high-layer PCB design and precision assembly to thorough inspection, environmental testing, and complete system integration, our teams work together seamlessly to deliver comprehensive electronic engineering support.

Through close collaboration with our customers, we ensure compliance, optimise performance, and proactively manage obsolescence, supporting the delivery of resilient, secure, and sustainable systems across every operational domain.

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As a supporter of the event, we are delighted to continue our partnership with HMS Collingwood, helping to bring the open day to life for families, service personnel, and members of the public. The event offers a rare opportunity for visitors to explore the base, meet Royal Navy personnel and learn more about the vital work conducted by the Armed Forces.

STS Defence’s Ben Stancliffe says; “We’re delighted to support this year’s HMS Collingwood Open Day. It’s a fantastic tradition and a wonderful opportunity to engage with and celebrate our local naval community.”

By sponsoring the HMS Collingwood Open Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community and strengthening its long-standing relationship with the Royal Navy. As a Gosport-based business, we are particularly proud to support an event that plays such a significant role in the local community and celebrates the area’s strong naval heritage.

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