I have always had the greatest respect for the servicewomen who served me and paved the way for my own career in the Armed Forces. During my service of 23 years I served as a Logistics Officer on board HMS ARK Royal (during the Conflict in Iraq 2003), with the Commando Helicopter Force, alongside the Royal Marines in Afghanistan (OP HERRICK 2008-2009), I deployed in Royal Fleet Auxilliary Ships in Logistics support to Minehunting Task Groups in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Middle East. More recently, my career centred on Policy in Ministry or Defence and my last 2 roles were working in High Readiness, Tri Service Headquarters based in Northwood delivering logistics and support solutions to UK Operations. I have also previously been the Treasurer at HMS EXCELLENT Wardroom and I was a committee member at HMS NELSON Wardroom.

My passion has always been to help others and provide support to the best of my ability. Being a committee member for the Naval Servicewomen’s Network since 2016 allowed me to influence and help find improvements to the lived experience for servicewomen (and for the benefit of all service personnel) and I was honoured to be invited to become their Chair in 2021. I was fully involved in all aspects of committee work including event planning, communications strategy and listening to servicewomen and the needs of the Naval Service. I was also asked to be a Special Advisor to the Secretary of State (Ben Wallace) when addressing the recommendations of the Atherton Report to make positive change to policy and processes across Defence. This led me to receive an OBE in the 2024 King’s New Year Honours List.

I am keen to bring this experience to the Association and help support this charity in your work going forward.