NEARLY 50 Chamber members and guests attended a business Breakfast Briefing at Audleys Wood Hotel, Basingstoke.

The event was organised in association with the Defence Diversification Agency, and supported by Hampshire County Council and Business Link Wessex.

Barbara Bryant, NHCCI's retiring chief executive, welcomed everyone and introduced the guest speaker, Professor Damien McDonnell, who gave an interesting and informative briefing on the DDA's role.

The DDA was set up in 1999 in recognition that the UK's defence science and technology base represented a major repository of technical knowledge and expertise that could be used to stimulate innovation and growth in the economy.

The DDA works with businesses to help them access defence technology for the exploitation of commercial opportunities.

Dominic Robinson, of Fluid Systems UK, a designer with a background in interior and product design, explained how he has designed an aircraft seat that effectively extends the seat pitch by up to 10 inches without needing any extra floor space.

In order to test the kinematics, it was necessary to conduct a feasibility study and market review, and the DDA, in association with Business Link Surrey, was instrumental in securing a SMART award to conduct the feasibility study with QinetiQ.

Questions on technology were then answered by the DDA and Business Link Wessex.

For information about the DDA, visit the website at www.dda.gov.uk or contact James Brennan on 01980 664436.