Proposed Board Appointment

Former Royal Navy Officer and Raytheon Executive Joins Defence Holdings to Support Growth in UK and European Defence Markets

Defence Holdings PLC (ALRT), the first specialised next generation publicly traded defence company, is pleased to announce the proposed appointment of James Norwood to its Board of Directors as Non-Executive Chairman. The proposed appointment is subject to the completion of due diligence checks by the Company's advisers. A further announcement regarding the board appointment, including the disclosures required under UKLR 6.4.8, were it to apply to the Company, will be made once the due diligence checks are completed.

James brings over three decades of operational and strategic experience in the defence and aerospace sectors. A former officer in the Royal Navy, James has deep insight into the evolving needs of military stakeholders, having served in a range of command and intelligence roles. Following his military career, he held senior leadership positions at Raytheon Technologies, where he was responsible for advancing key programmes across aerospace, cyber, and advanced sensing technologies within the UK and NATO-aligned markets.

James's unique background spanning frontline service, defence procurement, and corporate strategy positions him to guide Defence Holdings as it scales its portfolio of AI-enabled, autonomous, and cyber-resilient defence technologies.

The Company also confirms that Derek Lew, who has served with distinction as Chairman during the Company's initial phase and strategic repositioning, will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director.

Brian Stockbridge, Board Member of Defence Holdings, commented:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to sincerely thank Derek Lew for his outstanding leadership and commitment during a critical period of transition. His steady hand helped reposition the Company for the future, and we're grateful that he will continue to contribute as a Non-Executive Director. We are equally thrilled to welcome James Norwood as our new Chair. His exceptional experience in both military operations and defence innovation will be invaluable as we pursue our mission to become a leader in next-gen defence technologies. Getting James on board is just the beginning in our mission to build an incredible team in the defence sector."

James Norwood, incoming Chairman of Defence Holdings PLC, added:

"This is a pivotal time for defence in the UK and Europe. The sector is undergoing a generational shift, driven by new threats and the need for agile, technology-first solutions. I'm excited to join Defence Holdings at this moment of opportunity, and to support a team that's committed to challenging legacy models and bringing fresh thinking to the table. Together, we have a real chance to build a company that delivers both strategic value and long-term innovation."