Leading the QinetiQ Submarine Campaign to build and expand the current UK Submarine portfolio and identify international opportunity.

A qualified OIM, I am responsible for managing the Field and Terminal which is operated by TSEUK but under a Duty Holder arrangement contracted to Wood Group PSN. Fiercely, but safely, driving down operational expenditure, whilst maximizing opportunities for revenue and efficient decommissioning, this role requires leadership, tact and absolute standards when it comes to people, process and plant. Strong stakeholder engagement and ruthless honesty are key requisites for success in delivering the business plan.

Responsible for developing the strategy to decommission the entire portfolio of TSEUK offshore and onshore assets, ensuring regulatory compliance on the UK Continental Shelf. Developed the initial project controls in advance of Programme execution.

Director of all Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine, Mine Clearance and Patrol Vessel training. I directed an organisation comprising of 380 people distributed in 5 different geographic locations in England and Scotland. I was responsible for training sufficient numbers of capable and motivated individuals to meet the requirement to man the Royal Navy's modern and complex fleet of nuclear 'hunter-killer' submarines, ballistic missile firing strategic deterrent submarines, mine clearance vessels and patrol craft. I also delivered and assured the Submarine Command Course (The Perisher). My organisation utilised a broad spectrum of training media, including state of the art simulation and gaming technology, as well as high fidelity realistic experiential trainers to prepare individuals and teams for their demanding operational roles. From basic submarine training, submarine escape, weapons handling, nuclear propulsion plant operation, mine warfare, diving and submarine control, to full scale command team training, my organisation was responsible for every aspect. Training both ashore and at sea, I was responsible for delivering ships and submarines ready for the full spectrum of possible operations and held a key assurance role - my personal judgement determined whether submarines and ships were ready to deploy on operations! A dynamic and fast moving organisation, the recycling of operational lessons and experience was key.

Responsible for future policy for Royal Naval personnel out to 2030. In my short tenure, I wrote the Royal Navy People Strategy, personally presenting it to the Navy Board for endorsement, and had it published. I drove a team of highly capable and experienced people to deliver the future manning solutions for the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers and Type 26 Global Combat Ships, and establish innovative and novel ways to more effectively and efficiently man our current ships and submarines. I was also responsible for effective 'people intelligence' and ran a team of occupational psychologists who used a range of surveying and interviewing techniques, together with other information, to enable decision making to improve employment, recruitment and retention. I was responsible for the UK/France Personnel working group and exchange programme. Amongst other discrete areas of responsibility, I led the Royal Navy's Diversity and Inclusion policy, training and assurance team.

Working in the British Embassy, I was responsible for all aspects of the UK/US submarine relationship. This included operating at the strategic level ensuring that senior military and politicians were kept abreast of policies and decisions relating to nuclear submarines on both sides of the Atlantic. With routine access to the Pentagon and US procurement agencies, I dealt with current and future submarine technology and operations. This required absolute trust, relationship building and high levels of professional operational and technical knowledge. Key strategic events during my tenure in DC included the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, the UK/France Strategic Defence Treaty 2010 and the HMS ASTUTE grounding near Skye.

Second in Command of an Aircraft Carrier (the Royal Navy's Fleet Flagship) with a crew of 680 people - this was a hugely coveted role and an extreme privilege. Regularly deputising for the Commanding Officer in order to enable 'round the clock' operations, I also took temporary command at sea whenever he was absent. I led a team of extremely capable and experienced Department Heads to deliver the full range of operations possible in an Aircraft Carrier. From flying fast jets and helicopters delivering strike operations and hunting enemy submarines, to Royal Banquets and high profile international engagements and visits, I was responsible to the Commanding Officer for the planning and execution of every aspect of operations on board. In my time we delivered operations in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and the Baltic. My broader responsibilities included Health and Safety, morale, welfare, discipline, Diversity and Inclusion, and the general well being of the entire Ship's Company (crew). During demanding operations the Ship's Company would swell to 1100 men and women requiring extraordinary interpersonal, planning and leadership skills to ensure seamless integration.

Responsible, on a daily basis, for personally briefing the Secretary of State for Defence, Defence Ministers, the Chief of Defence Staff and Chiefs of Staff on current operational matters. Facilitating weekly political-military meetings, preparing attendees for high level strategic decision making, taking official minutes, and then ensuring ensuing actions were completed in a timely fashion. Ongoing operations at the time included Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans and Maritime Piracy - this was a very high pressure, fast moving, operational and strategic environment requiring long hours, capacity and intellect. Short notice briefing requests meant that you had to be totally on top of a real breadth of current military and political strategic issues. In my spare time I deputised as the Military Assistant to the Vice Chief of Defence Staff, facilitated regular strategic engagement between MOD, FCO and DFID, together with organising joint conferences on significant national strategic issues. This was an amazing and exciting time to work within the National Security and Defence construct, influencing and witnessing strategic decision making at the highest level.

The aim of the ACSC is to prepare selected officers for high-grade joint and single Service appointments by developing their command, analytical and communications skills and by providing a broad understanding and knowledge of joint, single-Service and combined operations, of the management of defence in the United Kingdom and of the wider aspects of defence as a whole.With 380 high calibre and specially selected students, including a significant number from international defence, the senior civil service, police and other government departments, I finished in the top 20% of the Course. I also took the opportunity to study and successfully complete an MA in Defence Studies with King's College London.

I was privileged to be in Command of the nuclear powered attack submarine HMS TORBAY. Arguably the most capable submarine in the world at the time, a £1bn platform of extraordinary complexity that delivered maximum effect in a unique operating environment. I led, in total, over 400 personnel (over 28 months) on a variety of missions in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean. This required a full range of skills including leadership, mentoring, coaching, training, planning, and the execution of operational and engineering disciplines - both planned and reactive. I developed, and then led, an exceptional team that delivered success at every stage. Negotiating the plethora of necessary regulation, process and external stakeholders (including media and public relations) was extremely rewarding. In addition to international operations, I was charged with the massive challenge of successfully delivering a brand new 'world beating' Sonar (Sonar 2076) and Command System (SMCS New Generation) into service.

Initial training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. STCW, Navigation and Warfare Courses. Submarine and Nuclear training. Warfare and Navigation appointments in various Diesel and nuclear submarines, including Operations Officer in a Trident Missile firing submarine. Navigated vessels with up to 12m draught. Commanded a Patrol Vessel at 28yrs old with responsibilities for 55 university students from Sussex University (Sussex URNU), Reservist Training Officers, civilian staff, infrastructure and a budget to support. Shore appointments included operational HQ roles, training all submarine Navigators in both traditional and submarine navigation methods (3D), and the Career Management of all RN Submarine Warfare Officers. Selected for the Submarine Command Course (The Perisher) and graduated at the top of this world renowned and demanding course.Second in Command HMS TIRELESS during lengthy nuclear repair in Gibraltar where I assumed the role of 'Head of the Nuclear Repair Authority' in the absence of the Commanding Officer. This required absolute knowledge of nuclear regulations, relationship building and interaction across all stakeholders including Rolls Royce, Govt of Gibraltar, Govt of Spain, media (inc Radio 4 Today Programme), CND and Greenpeace.