About Us
Defence Strategic Communications Symposium 2025.​
Lord Robertson, former NATO Secretary General and UK Defence Secretary, was frank when he referenced the conflict in Ukraine in his keynote speech:
“It’s real, it’s actual, and it’s brutal, and it’s horrific. Ukraine will not be the last one and it demonstrates what can happen when a major power decides to resolve its own national issues through violence. "
Read more at
The Symposium is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors
Inspiring and insightful - Lord Robertson provides keynote speech at this year’s Pen & Sword Club Symposium
We are a not-for-profit organisation that aims to:
​
-
Provide a platform that promotes communications as a vital military skill in the 21st century.
-
Encourage the use of effective communications skills throughout the defence community.
-
Build a network of professional defence communicators for the exchange of best practice and to enhance existing expertise.
-
Promote dialogue between the media and defence communications practitioners.
-
Organise events that improve understanding and facilitate exchange between all sides of the profession.
-
Collect and disseminate information, analysis, and research into past, current, and future operations to enhance the development of defence communications.​
Club members, friends and family gathered for the social event of the the year: The Club’s elegant Afternoon Tea on the terraces of the House of Lords on July 18th.
This exclusive gathering offered a rare opportunity to enjoy one of London’s most iconic settings, and to reconnect with familiar faces, and make new friends.
Events Calendar
Monthly Lunches
Location: Little Ship Club, Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames St., London EC4R 3TB
Date: Middle Wednesday of each month from 12 noon
To book or for more info contact: info@penandswordclub.org
Wednesday Sept 17th, 2025 Little Ship Club, London
Lunchtime talk at 12.00 noon
Guest speaker: Air Commodore Emily Flynn CBE MA MEng CEng FIET RAF
‘Two Airports – One Evacuation’
​Air Cdre Flynn was Station Commander at RAF Brize Norton in August 2021 when the station played a key part in Operation PITTING, coordinating the UK end of the evacuation from Kabul and receiving eligible persons following the collapse of the Afghan government in the largest operation of its kind since the Berlin airlift.
​
In this lunchtime talk she will cover the leadership challenges and media management issues she had to deal with as the airbase became the national focal point for NATO’s withdrawal.
If you wish to attend this event please email info@penandswordclub.org
Friday Sept 26th, 2025 Honourable Artillery Company, London
The Club’s affiliate, the Worshipful Company of Communicators will hold its annual Military Awards Dinner with Assistant Chief of General Staff (ACGS) Major General Paul Griffiths CB is confirmed as the Military Guest of Honour.
More info and how to buy tickets can be found here:
https://www.companyofcommunicators.com/event-details/annual-military-awards-dinner
Our Story
The Pen & Sword Club was established nearly 30 years ago by the Pool of Territorial Army Public Information Officers (TAPIO) to provide a link between serving personnel, retired officers working in the communications industry, and supporters within the UK Ministry of Defence.
​
Today it has grown into a recognised defence-wide communications organisation with a professional membership that includes Regular and Reservist members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the Army, the Royal Air Force and civilian practitioners within the UK Ministry of Defence.
​
The Club’s membership, which is by invitation, also includes crisis communications, media and information operations specialists from NATO and allied countries plus senior politicians, civil servants, journalists, academics and authors connected to the defence communications industry.
​
The Club represents a depth of knowledge and experience from its members that have applied their skills on military deployments around the world including Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Gulf Wars, the Balkans, Borneo and with Multinational Forces in Lebanon and the Sinai. Serving members continue to provide insights, advice and regular updates on Military Media Operations and its role within Defence Strategic Communications.
​
The Club has an active national focus in London with a flourishing social network and a monthly dining club. It also manages a growing LinkedIn membership and it’s newsletter, Scribblings, is a popular read among members and friends of the club. It promotes networking and provides updates on people and current defence themes.
Member Books & Blogs
Just published - The first comprehensive history of Polaris, bringing together technical aspects, the key characters and full stories of the American and British programmes.
Includes specially commissioned graphic images and plans as well as several previously unpublished photographs
​Author: Club Member Maj (Retd) John Boyes TD CA
Club members are active on social media. Please see some of our high profile members' social media presence.
Views expressed are personal to the member and do not represent Club policy or endorsement
Lt Col (Retd) Derek Plews VR
Former Army officer, Lt Col (Retd) Derek Plews VR, worked as a journalist in Northern Ireland before joining the UK Civil Service as a press officer. A reservist, Plews left the civil service in 2006 to deploy to Afghanistan. He subsequently completed tours of duty in Iraq before taking up various appointments at the Ministry of Defence. Retiring in 2020, he wrote A Brilliant Little Victory, a history of the 48th (South Midland) Division in the First World War.
Paul Beaver
Paul served for 27 years in the Territorial Army, raising to the rank of Colonel. His last posting was as Colonel (Reserves) Joint Helicopter Command. Since 2017, he has been a Honorary Group Captain on No 601 Squadron RAuxAF and retires in 2026. He is an historian, writer and broadcaster on defence, strategy, intelligence and people.
Mark Laity
Mark has been involved with the media & Strategic Communication (StratCom) for over four decades, first as a journalist, mostly with the BBC, then in a variety of posts as a spokesman & senior manager for NATO. His experience covers all levels, from the political & strategic, to the frontlines of operations.
