Aidan Talbott Email & Phone Number

London Area, United Kingdom

Building on my experience and knowledge, my focus is around organisational design and development, operating models, strategic risk management, strategic and performance reviews, sponsorship capability and governance and reporting structures and processes. In all of these, I have had direct experience both as a practitioner and as a consultant, so I understand both ends of the spectrum and the need to be collaborative and create an integrated solution across an organization.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

In my short time here, I co-authored a successful million dollar rail infrastructure bid and led the establishment of a PMO for the high speed rail component of a giga-project. However as fortune would have it, an opportunity arose for me to strike out on my own whilst continuing to work in the Middle East, something I have long wanted to do. I took the difficult decision to take advantage of that opportunity, which entailed leaving EY much earlier than I had ever intended.

London, United Kingdom

Whilst at Nichols, I focussed on strategic advice and leadership/management to make organisations work better in rail, defence, infrastructure and the civil nuclear industry, taking part in several reviews of programmes at critical points in their lifecycle to assess their effectiveness, look at the case for extensions and identify opportunities for improvement, all of which have been very positively received. I have also been an independent member of a formal board of inquiry into a significant programme in distress for a large UK industrial organisation, was a member of the small team that wrote the 2021 Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Strategic Review and been parachuted in to successfully stabilise a digital rail project in severe distress. I have advised clients on how to improve their clienting skills and to business cases approved. I have also helped set up the rolling stock delivery programme for the very high speed trains for HS2.

York, United Kingdom

Accountable for £1.1billion worth of infrastructure enhancements in the East Coast Main Line route enhancement programme, leading a team of sponsors working with the delivery organisations to ensure delivery on time, to cost and to specification. This involves working closely in partnership with the Department for Transport at a senior level and with the private sector and other elements of the industry to create a strategic approach. Some of the enhancements were high cost and high profile (Kings Cross Remodelling, Werrington Dive Under, Power Supply Upgrade Phase 2) requiring sensitive management. The programme concluded successfully in 2022.

Final rank on leaving was Captain

Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Board member of joint executive operating board with integrated industrial partner (BAE Systems) managing a £150m civilian/military enterprise across the public/private boundaryDay-to-day management of the Naval Base enterprise covering port operations, shore services, security, safety, commercial retail/leisure contracts and co-ordination of commercial businesses in the UK’s primary naval base and the largest industrial site in South East England – 2,500 sailors and 13,000 civilian daily commuters

Mod, London

Advised the Chief of Defence People on strategy, policy and change managementResponsible for the MOD’s personnel and training strategy and its delivery planOversight of the MOD senior HR boards secretariat, including HR risk management Led on workforce optimisation, skills shortages, remuneration concepts and assurance

Camp Bastion/Leatherneck, Helmand, Afghanistan

One of seven senior leaders working for a US general in Helmand, liaising across international and cultural boundaries with the US State Dept and Dept of Defense, Danish Embassy, several UN bodies and the Afghan Government in addition to the FCO and DFID at ministerial/ambassadorial level to improve understanding and coherence and monitor key programmes.

Cranfield University

Theses on improving safety culture in large enterprises, improving MOD risk management and the defence-industrial model of Chile.Completed whilst holding down full time jobs.

Northwood, Uk

Responsible for strategic advice and policy options for the UK’s four overseas military bases, liaising directly up to ministerial level and with the FCO and intelligence agencies Ensured military profile complemented the UK’s diplomatic position and the sensitive regional politicsAs the Plans Division (J5) lead, programme managed tri-Service support by UK based enabling organisations to the bases across the globe

Portsmouth

Chief of staff to the head of RN personnel strategy and policy, overseeing initiatives on talent management, remuneration, diversity and learning and development. However, the additional (arguably more important) key role was as the personally selected sole action officer for talent management of admirals and Royal Marine generals, working with extreme discretion directly through a dedicated admiral to the head of the Royal Navy to identify credible candidates and their subsequent career paths for the highest military positions. This involved liaising across Whitehall and with the Royal Household.

Mod, London

Lead programme manager for replacement naval logistic ships and wider sustainment capability, conducting capability audits and ensuring a prime GBP1.5billion and several other multi-million pound major capital projects remained coherent with strategic requirements.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Administration, Management And Operations

Managing Successful Programmes, Certified Msp Practitioner

Master’S Degree, Defence And Security Studies, Merit

Better Business Cases, Foundation

Master Of Arts - Ma