Related Services:
Operating Model Design | Diagnostic & Structural Assessment | Stakeholder Facilitation

The Challenge

Following the UK's departure from the European Union, the Department for International Trade's Defence & Security Exports (DSE) Directorate faced a changing international trade environment and an opportunity to rethink how it supported UK defence and security exporters.

DSE played a critical role in helping UK businesses identify, pursue and secure international export opportunities. However, the organisation's operating model had evolved over time and was increasingly influenced by reactive engagement with individual opportunities rather than a coordinated, strategic approach to developing future export pipelines.

As government priorities evolved and the UK sought to strengthen its position in international markets, senior leaders recognised the need to review how the Directorate was structured, governed and organised. The objective was to create an operating model capable of supporting a more proactive, intelligence-led and strategically focused approach to export promotion.

Our Approach

A structured operating model review was undertaken to understand how DSE delivered its services, coordinated activity across teams and supported export opportunities throughout the defence and security sectors. The review examined organisational structures, governance arrangements, decision-making processes, stakeholder engagement mechanisms and the flow of information across the Directorate.

Particular focus was placed on understanding how opportunities were identified, prioritised and progressed, and how the organisation could transition from a predominantly reactive model towards a more proactive and pipeline-driven approach. Stakeholder engagement and analysis were used to identify strengths within the existing model, alongside opportunities to improve coordination, strategic alignment and resource prioritisation.

Drawing on these insights, a future-state Target Operating Model was developed, providing a framework for how the Directorate could organise its capabilities, governance and delivery activity to better support future export growth and evolving government priorities.

Outcomes

The engagement provided senior leaders with a clear and evidence-based vision for the future of the Directorate. The Target Operating Model established greater clarity around organisational roles, responsibilities and governance arrangements, while creating a stronger link between strategic objectives and day-to-day operational activity.

The review also identified opportunities to improve collaboration, strengthen oversight and create a more coordinated approach to opportunity management. By shifting the focus from reactive engagement towards a more proactive and strategically aligned model, the Directorate was better positioned to identify and support future export opportunities.

The resulting operating model provided a practical roadmap for organisational evolution, helping leaders understand how capabilities, resources and governance structures could be aligned to support long-term growth and improved service delivery.

Impact

Creating a future-focused Target Operating Model to support more proactive export promotion, stronger strategic alignment and improved organisational effectiveness within the UK's defence and security export sector.

Why This Matters

Organisations often face significant external changes that require them to rethink how they operate. Whether driven by shifts in policy, market conditions, regulation or strategic priorities, existing structures and processes may no longer provide the flexibility, coordination or focus needed to achieve future objectives.

This case demonstrates how Target Operating Model design can help organisations respond to changing environments by aligning people, processes, governance and resources around a clear strategic vision. By taking a structured approach to organisational design, leaders can create the foundations needed to improve performance, support growth and deliver sustainable transformation.

How We Can Help

This engagement drew on our core capabilities in Operating Model Design, Organisational Transformation and Governance Framework Development, helping to create a practical roadmap for future organisational change.

Whether you are responding to a changing operating environment, redesigning services or seeking to improve organisational effectiveness, we can help you understand how your organisation operates today and define the structures, governance and ways of working needed to support future success.