12 March 2019
I joined the Royal Navy in 1987 to pursue a career in engineering, subsequently transferring to the Royal Naval Reserve. My Regular and Reserve service experience has been predominantly within the Air Engineering, Electronic Warfare and Information Warfare professional spheres.
I have held several operational and headquarters staff appointments during my naval service career. These have included Operation TELIC and latterly Operation HERRICK when I was deployed to Afghanistan as the Information Operations Staff Officer with 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, plus numerous deployments and exercises throughout. Other highlights have included UK-US Counter Narcotics Operations in the Caribbean and work within the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme.
In July 2011, I was seconded back in to the Royal Navy to complete the year-long Advanced Command and Staff Course at the UK Defence Academy’s Joint Services Command and Staff College in Shrivenham, Wiltshire. I graduated in July 2012 and was awarded a MA in Defence Studies from King’s College, University of London. In September 2012 I assumed Command of HMS SCOTIA, the Royal Naval Reserve Unit for the East of Scotland located in Rosyth, with a satellite unit in Dundee. Here I am responsible for 130 Regular and Reserve military personnel mobilised or preparing to be mobilised in support of the full range of tasks undertaken by the British Armed Forces.
As a civilian, I am the International Business Development Manager for Leonardo’s Electronics business. In this role I am responsible for winning new business for the company.
Serving with the British Reserve Forces offers a unique way of life that attracts people from all backgrounds. For some it’s a chance to develop skills, knowledge and personal qualities such as confidence, self-discipline, leadership and teamwork skills that are directly transferable to your civilian life. For others it’s an opportunity to meet friends, stay fit and travel. Whatever your reason for joining, the British Reserve Forces offers you excellent training and wide-ranging benefits.