DEFENCE Secretary Gavin Williamson paid a visit to Worcester to meet a city company which provides expertise in logistics and managing equipment to the armed forces.
CMCA chiefs welcomed Mr Williamson and Worcester MP Robin Walker to their Gresley Road base where Managing Director Darren Topley and members of the board provided an overview of the company’s capabilities together with a number of case studies highlighting their work with various Ministry of Defence programmes.
The firm has expanded significantly in recent years, having grown from a staff of two people working from a garage to employing 65 people in Worcester.
In 2011, Mr Walker cut the ribbon on the company’s new headquarters in Warndon and the firm now have plans to expand to a staff of 75 by the end of the year.
“What you have here is a business which is making sure that the army, navy and air force are able to continue to deliver, get their equipment out and are properly supported,” Mr Williamson said.
“And without those types of businesses, without helping and supporting our armed forces we would be much more worse off and a lot less safe.”
Mr Topley said he was delighted to welcome the Defence Secretary to the city and said the company felt privileged to have hosted the two-hour private audience.
“Our discussions were invaluable in helping us to shape our own thinking around emerging government initiatives and policies.”
Speaking after the visit, Mr Walker said: “Although Worcester no longer has a barracks or airfield, many of my constituents serve in the armed forces and local firms like CMCA benefit enormously from the Government’s commitment to maintaining two per cent of our GDP on defence spending – a commitment I have long supported.
“In turn, this provides our city with valuable, high-skilled job opportunities. I am proud Worcester is home to such an innovative firm who provide a vital service to our armed forces, and I look forward to seeing their expansion continue apace.”
