Sheffield Forgemasters hosts prestigious AUKUS visit

UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, visited Sheffield Forgemasters to set out Britain's commitment to the AUKUS partnership as an important driver of jobs and growth in Yorkshire and across the UK.

Joined by the Chief of Defence Nuclear at the Ministry of Defence Madelaine McTernan CB, the Australian High Commissioner to the UK The Hon Stephen Smith and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Minister Healey saw how the business is benefiting from the AUKUS trilateral defence and security partnership between the UK, US and Australia.

Our Chair, Sir Tim Fraser, accompanied by Chief Executive Officer Gary Nutter, and Chief Financial Officer Amy Grey, hosted the visit, showcasing the unique capabilities and skills at Sheffield Forgemasters, which make the company a valuable partner in the delivery of AUKUS submarines.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Sheffield Forgemasters is a shining light of UK industry that helps boost global security and employs skilled staff from the local community. This is just one example of how our hugely important partnership with our Australian and American partners can help drive jobs and growth across Britain.” 

The group visited our Heavy Forge to see complex forged components for the AUKUS submarines in manufacture.

Gary Nutter, Chief Executive Officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We were delighted and honoured to host such a prestigious visit and would like to thank the Secretary of State for Defence, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief of Defence Nuclear for taking the time to see what we do at first-hand.

“The AUKUS pact will provide secure, highly-skilled jobs not only for Sheffield Forgemasters and Yorkshire but for the wider UK supply chain, over decades.”

An anticipated 7,000 additional British jobs will be generated through the British and Australian AUKUS submarine programmes throughout their life. At the peak, there will be over 21,000 people working on the SSN-AUKUS programmes in the UK supply chain.

Sheffield Forgemasters is investing heavily in its defence manufacturing capabilities, including a brand new 13,000 tonne Heavy Forging line and a state-of-the-art machine shop which will service AUKUS manufacture.

Photo (front - left to right): Madelaine McTernan CB, His Excellency The Honourable Stephen Smith, Sir Tim Fraser, The Rt Hon John Healey MP, Richard Marles MP, Gary Nutter

Additional Images from the Visit: