I am working to make lives better and communities stronger by shaping a digital future for local government. After a long military career, I have refocussed and reskilled and am now part of a fantastic team setting up the Somerset County Unitary Authority. Success is where the right technology, motivated people, and good governance overlap. In this, the second chapter of my professional life, I find that the skills I developed over 34 years in the Army - communication, leadership, teamwork and determination - serve me as well in local government as they did on the battlefield. I have a masters in Defence Technology, I am an ITIL4 Strategist, a PRINCE 2 and MSP practitioner, a member of the CMI (Level 8 Strategy and Leadership) and have worked extensively in the areas of concept and capability development, equipment delivery and change management. But in addition to these professional qualifications, I bring a wealth of soft skills and a fresh perspective. With experience in Turkey, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, West Africa and the wider Middle East and having commanded extensively on combat operations, my leadership and problem-solving abilities have been proven in the most demanding conditions.