Professional appointments

Current role and title

Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapons System (Rocket), [LIMAWS (R)], Project Manager. I am responsible for delivering a new lightweight, heliportable vehicle which is capable of firing guided rockets in support of rapid agile ground forces. The project is valued at circa £100M and I have a team of three people.

What attracted you to DESG:

The MOD is engineering heaven. The diversity of the equipment is vast; ranging from warships to tanks and helicopters to complex IT systems. Having the opportunity to work with all of this technology and move around the different areas of the MOD was extremely exciting and this prospect alone sold itself.

Highlights of your career to date:

I was asked to manage a technically and managerially challenging vehicle conversion project within half the normal time scale for a project of this size. The aim was to demonstrate the capability of a highly manoeuvrable battlefield vehicle with similar loading capacities to a Land-Rover. I worked closely with the contractor to develop a scrapped armoured reconnaissance vehicle into a fully representative working capability. The vehicle underwent significant changes including the removal of the turret and roof, re-profiling of the vehicle sides and drive train restoration. I controlled a project team consisting of around 20 engineers; leading them to deliver the final vehicle to time and cost and to the delight of the project sponsor.

What you hope to achieve in the future:

After completing the DESG Graduate Scheme, I joined the MOD Fast Stream Programme. I have aspirations to join the Senior Civil Service and I want to lead the MOD at the highest level to face the technical challenges of the future.

What advice would you give someone thinking of a career in the MOD:

Go for it! I do not know of any other organisation which has the diversity of equipment and the engineering challenges that brings. There are technical challenges in procuring new and supporting existing equipment and you will have the chance to make a difference in these areas. Combine with this the international travel opportunities, excellent work life balance and career development opportunities, you can be sure of having a fulfilling career in the MOD.