Colleagues would describe me as tenacious, talkative and someone that works well under pressure. Got an urgent deadline on a problem that needs a constant attack? I’m the man for the job and I’ll be free to chat throughout! 

Achieving a ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection in my current school for the team.

Becoming Pegasus Company (P Company) Sergeant Major. A job I was extremely proud of, being a gate keeper to not only The Parachute Regiment, but also Airborne Forces. I was lucky enough to be supported by an amazing team who always maintained the standards with the upmost professionalism.

Joining the leadership team within Sanderson Government & Defence felt like a real achievement for me, and really helped me break down some of the imposter syndrome I was experiencing,

I’m all about setting milestones, reaching them, and then setting new ones to push further. It’s been my goal to continuously beat the last milestone, always finding ways to grow and better myself and my team along the way.  

Leading teams through demanding operational environments and seeing people grow in confidence and capability under my guidance has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career so far.

Winning “Veteran of the Year” at the 2024 LGBTQ+ Defence Awards wasn’t just another career milestone – it was a profound moment of validation that deeply touched me. This recognition illuminated the true impact of my work, reaching far beyond my individual achievements. It highlighted how my contributions resonate not only within the Military community but also throughout the LGBTQ+ community across defence and the broader defence industry.

Very early on in my career I learned that the cold professional veneer I had been putting on needed to be put away. It took courage, to be the bundle of contradictions that is authentically me.  Anyone else out there silly, professional, driven, caring…?

I am the daughter of a former soldier, my father serving a full career in the 1^st Bn the Royal Scots. From a young age I was aware of the challenges and the sacrifices faced by forces families, my father deploying on 6 operational tours of Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles.  At the age of 17 and a half, I followed in my father’s footsteps joining the army and went onto serve 22 years in the Royal Military Police where I specialised in close protection.  I went onto become the first female in the British military to deploy as a bodyguard in support of the FCDO. Subsequently going onto complete several tours as a close protection team leader and later instructing at the close protection unit. By default, breaking gender barriers and becoming a somewhat reluctant trailblazer. What you may not know is the role was and remains gender free and not fair, women having to attain the same standards as their male counterparts on what is considered an arduous course meant that there was a high attrition rate. But there was also a high level of negativity and bias around women, something which still requires improvement. After conducting research last year for a presentation I was delivering at the Special Forces Club in London, I learned that there have been approximately only 30 women who have followed in my footsteps in the past 30 years. As you can imagine, I faced significant challenges which included unacceptable behaviours and treatment but pressed on, accepting that the juice would be worth the squeeze in the end. Adopting a put up and shut up attitude. I now want to use my voice to better inform on how we can help our diverse teams become operationally better aligned and encourage change. After leaving the military I then served a decade in GCHQ in a number of roles, including as a Government Communications Officer. Deploying overseas in support of UK military and in counter terrorism.  I am now employed by Mitie as an executive protection team leader and assigned as the close protection team leader for the former Deputy PM Angela Raynor. I’ve also been involved in the delivery of leadership and resilience training to high performing sports teams such as Sale Sharks rugby, team England football and others. I’m passionate about mental health and building resilience in others, having navigated ovarian cancer myself but also experienced the trauma that goes in tandem with witnessing three other close family members being struck by serious illness. Last year after losing my mother on the 9^th November 2023, I walked the Camino Santiago and hiked a total of 550 miles across Spain from France, on my own. I’m currently writing my memoirs and hope that by telling my story, I can help others and, in some way, make a difference.

The ‘fixer’ the ‘glue’ the ‘gap filler’ the one who has the answers! The social secretary.

Acknowledging that not all leaders are good/effective leaders and being validated for calling it out.

Transitioning from working in the Ambulance Service in the Public Sector to joining a large Global Corporate organisation. I love using my Public Sector experience while working at a Corporate organisation to help our Public Sector and Defence clients. Giving back is important to me.

Disrupted the established consultancies in winning and leading a large-scale Defence project where I scaled a multidisciplinary team to deliver critical, secure-by-design systems. This achievement highlighted the value of collaboration, innovation, and resilience under tight deadlines.

I am proud of how I managed my transition out of the Army and the choices I made. I didn’t get everything right but I recognised the skills I had developed in the military and was able to apply them over time, while also being open to learning from the new people around me. Carving out a career in HR wasn’t something I was expecting to do but it’s been good for me.

I was the Senior Investigating Officer on some interesting jobs within the Police Service, and feel incredibly privileged at having been involved in a number of these. I also appreciate being able to support and help people who are neurodivergent, and for them to hopefully see my journey and have some belief in themselves that they can also succeed despite a difference in the way they may think and a world that is not designed for them (or me!).

Being promoted to Air Rank (= Commodore, Brigadier, or in the USA 1* Brigadier General)

I’ve worked across a broad spectrum of Defence Teams (Land, Air, Ships, Construction, Security), both as a Civil Servant and Industry, so I have a wide range of knowledge and contacts. I love leading teams and inspiring the best from colleagues, as by supporting and empowering each other we can achieve so much more than we realise.

I come from a background where collaboration, leadership, and resilience have always been at the core of what I do. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some incredible people in Defence, and I’ve seen firsthand both the challenges and the triumphs women face in this space. My journey has taught me the importance of mentorship, visibility, and having a strong support network, values that are perfectly aligned with the mission of Women Empowering Defence. I believe in lifting others as we rise, and being part of an organisation that champions that same philosophy makes this role incredibly meaningful to me.

My background involves technology, security, and law enforcement. Before joining Oracle, I completed my BSc in Security and Crime Science at UCL and undertook a placement with HMPPS in the Digital Media Investigation Unit as a Digital Forensic Analyst. I spent three years in a technical role at Apple and have also served as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Service. Each of these roles have given me a different perspective on what it means to operate in traditionally male-dominated fields. That’s why WED’s mission really resonates with me. It’s about making space for women to thrive in environments where we’re often underrepresented, and that’s something I’m passionate about contributing to.

I joined BT as an apprentice following my A-Levels. I completed a four-year degree whilst working in BT Defence, graduating in the last year. I am now an account manager within our Defence Industries organisation. BT are really passionate about supporting the next generation and their apprenticeship schemes are a perfect example of that. It is something many of our customers are passionate about and it’s great to discuss the benefits of apprenticeships with our customers and partners.

I’ve worked in IT, consultancy and project management roles for several years and I’m passionate about inclusivity and equality for all. I’m also a Mental Health First Aider in my organisation.

I have always worked in business that are predominately male orientated and this can be difficult. I was once told if I wanted to progress I would need to sleep with the boss, this drove me to want to change what women need to do to succeed.

I’ve never been in the military, and at first, I was concerned that organisations like Women Empowering Defence would focus solely on supporting ex-military personnel transitioning to civilian life – highlighting how different our backgrounds are. But through the conversations and hearing others’ stories, I’ve realised that backgrounds don’t matter. We’ve all faced similar challenges, and we’re united by a shared drive to achieve, inspire, and support one another.

I’ve spent most of my career in the defence sector, often in spaces where inclusion wasn’t really on the radar. Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to speak up, advocate for others, and make room for different voices. That’s something I care deeply about and want to help embed in how we work every day.

I joined Sanderson as a Talent Acquisition Manager, supporting key accounts in the defence and national security sectors. Prior to this, I spent six years recruiting into the NHS, and before that, I trained and taught as a secondary school teacher.

I remember turning up to my first recruitment role after teaching and being one of only five women in a male-dominated office. It was, quite honestly, intimidating at first – but I quickly realised it was also empowering. I brought a skillset, perspective, and approach that was different, advantageous in certain ways, and genuinely welcomed.

Over time, as I grew in my career, I was able to use that position to make an impact, not only in my own work but by supporting and recruiting other talented women around me. That experience directly connects to WED’s mission: creating opportunities, visibility, and support for women in sectors where they are underrepresented, helping them to thrive and succeed.

 

In my role as Client Services Director at Experis Academy, I work closely with clients in defence, aerospace, and space to build programmes that address skills gaps. Much like WED, my focus is on transformation, creating opportunities for people to thrive in careers they may not have thought possible.

I am the PA to the head of Defence in Mace, been here over 3 years now and support with all the defence projects.

I’m a woman working in a male-dominated sector, with a client portfolio rooted in defence. My career has focused on empowering emerging talent and helping women tech professionals become future leaders. I’m passionate about reshaping perceptions of defence and highlighting its role in national security and innovation. One of the privileges of my role is speaking to our Future Talent Programme about a career in defence and getting them excited about the characteristics needed – resilience, persistence and a strong ethical code. As our Future Talent Programme cohort are recruited from underrepresented communities they would have never had considered a career in defence was ‘for them’ so it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to be improving the career prospects of a talented individual while improving diversity in the sector.

Having been a broadcaster and communications specialist for most of my professional life, I believe it’s vital to encourage those around me to take the time to really talk to one another. In my experience, learning to listen and accept others for they are, is key.
I also believe that no question is a stupid question and a team is one that consistently evolves, challenges itself and isn’t afraid to adapt.

My path has woven through marketing leadership and inclusion-driven strategy, but the thread running through it all has been a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Working in environments not always designed with women in mind has shown me where the gaps are and how powerful it is when those gaps are closed. WED’s mission to empower women in defence resonates deeply because I know what’s at stake and what’s possible.

 Working in sustainability and defence has shown me how powerful diverse thinking can be — and how damaging it is when it’s missing. I’ve often had to work harder to be heard, but those challenges shaped the way I lead, listen, and show up for others.
WED’s commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and challenging stereotypes reflects everything I’ve learned the hard way: that progress only happens when people feel included in the full picture and trusted to contribute their perspective.

Working in marketing, I often find myself at industry events where the gender imbalance is impossible to ignore. Walking into those male-dominated rooms makes me even more passionate about the work WED does to increase visibility and representation.

I’m a paramedic, educator, and founder of the Defence Breastfeeding Network — I live and breathe advocacy for equity in uniform. I have served for coming up 12 years, and championing women is something I’ve always been passionate about. 

I’m a single mum who left an abusive relationship with nothing but my two wonderful children. From there, I rebuilt my life: transitioning from a teaching career to a new path that gave me financial independence. Balancing career aspirations with motherhood can feel overwhelming, but I believe in challenging assumptions and taking risks. My journey reflects WED’s ethos: breaking barriers and empowering others to believe in themselves.