National Wealth Fund invests £25 million in Rowden to scale sovereign technology and create 500 UK jobs

Rowden today announced a £25 million investment from the National Wealth Fund (NWF), marking the Fund’s first direct investment supporting defence, national security and resilience.

The investment will support the creation of 100 new jobs over the next 12 months and expand Rowden’s engineering, manufacturing and test capability across the UK. This includes a new advanced test and evaluation facility in the West Midlands, establishing a UK centre for edge technologies development.

The funding supports the next phase of Rowden’s growth as it accelerates the production of its sensing and communications products and edge device management platform and takes them to new global markets and critical industries.

From its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Bristol, Rowden plans to create a further 500 highly skilled roles by 2032.

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, said:

“Rowden is exactly the kind of British engineering company we want to back: innovative, veteran-founded and delivering for national security. The National Wealth Fund’s investment will help scale world-class sensing and information systems, create highly skilled jobs across the Southwest and West Midlands, and strengthen the industrial foundations our Armed Forces depend upon. Defence is an engine for growth, and this investment demonstrates that in practice."

Rob Harper, CEO and Founder of Rowden, said:

“Rowden was founded on the belief that the UK is a place where enduring engineering companies can be built, delivering impact for national resilience, economic growth and skills.

“We chose to partner with the National Wealth Fund because of the direct alignment with our mission and their mandate. The National Wealth Fund is uniquely positioned to support ambitious UK companies operating in critical industries through its long-term investment horizon and commitment to strengthening sovereign capability.

“This investment allows us to expand UK engineering and manufacturing capacity, accelerate exports to allied nations and continue building systems designed for the realities of modern operational environments.”

Oliver Holbourn, CEO of the National Wealth Fund, said:

“Building and sustaining sovereign capability is critical to the UK’s long-term resilience and security. With our backing, Rowden can accelerate the development and export of UK-built technologies while continuing to grow engineering talent and advanced manufacturing capability here in the UK.”

The National Wealth Fund confirmed that defence, national resilience and dual-use technologies will remain a strategic area of focus for future investment activity, including opportunities across supply chains, enabling infrastructure and advanced technology development.