Liam Fox MP joined local MP Marcus Fysh on the morning of Friday 13th October at Yeovil’s Leonardo site for a tour of the facility and a meeting with company bosses. Dr Fox, MP for North Somerset, was keen to discuss global opportunities for the iconic helicopter manufacturer as his team are developing the UK’s post-Brexit trade policies.

Marcus Fysh has secured a debate in Parliament this week to discuss the nation’s military capability which is built in part on Leonardo products such as the Wildcat helicopter. He will make the case for further funding for our Armed Forces and for defence to be more integrated into the industrial strategy. ‘Our military capabilities are essential and I would strongly oppose anything to weaken them in this uncertain world. I’ll be making the case to invest more in defence and put UK based defence clusters like those here in Somerset at the centre of our industrial strategy.’

John Ponsonby, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters UK, said “I’m delighted the Secretary of State has taken the time to visit us here in Yeovil to be updated on the export business opportunities that are critical for our future success. We are also grateful for the support being provided by everyone at the Department of International Trade as we aim to increase our export business to secure thousands of jobs in the South West and within the supply chain across the UK.”