Senior Programme Manager @ Helsing - AI to Serve Our Democracies

• Jan 2023 - Present

Helsing is a new defence and artificial intelligence company. We believe that software – and, in particular, artificial intelligence – will be the key capability to keep liberal democracies from harm. Our ambition is to achieve global technology leadership in real-time information processing, turning unstructured sensor data into information advantage for democratic governments. Working in the Partnerships & Programmes Team, my role is to deliver AI-enabled solutions in the Maritime Domain. Show less

Chief Combat Systems Engineer & Programme Director, Type 26 Frigate Programme

• Jan 2019 - Dec 2022

Assured leadership of a multi-£Bn programme managing complex combat system delivery and integration for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigate ‘Mega Project’. Delivery of the largest ever portfolio of UK Government sourced and commercially obligated equipment and systems to the shipbuilder BAE Systems for incorporation into the T26 design. Assurance of safety critical systems, board level advice and guidance, strategic risk identification, mitigation and resolution. Management of a multi-disciplinary team of civilian and military technical, project management and commercial professionals in Glasgow and Bristol. Board level consultancy to partners in the Global Combat Ship programme. Show less

Capability Manager Above Water Systems, Fleet Weapon Engineer Officer, Head of Branch,

• Nov 2017 - Jan 2019

Programme Director for a large portfolio of in-service and future cross-cutting combat system equipment/capabilities. Delegated delivery oversight of the Sea Ceptor Missile System introduction into Royal Navy service, including holding delivery contractor to account and acceptance of extensive sea trials. Overseas consultancy to foreign navies advising on their international defence procurements of Sea Ceptor from MBDA. Managed into service the Naval Radar [Digitisation] Programme. Role required strategic contextual awareness, financial planning & budgeting, risk management, safety certification and authorisation. Professional head of specialism as FWEO and lead operational engineer. Show less

Head of Weapon Engineering Training School, Commanding Officer

• May 2016 - Nov 2017

Provided strategic leadership of the Royal Navy’s Weapon Engineering School delivering initial apprentice through graduate level education streams simultaneously, to over 500 students. Influenced the design then implemented and managed a programme of effective transformational change across the entire scope of Weapon Engineering career training; incorporated innovative digital synthetic environments and haptic upskilling of technicians, leading to dramatically improved availability of ships at sea. Show less

Deputy Director & Chief Systems Engineer (Communications & Situational Awareness)

• Sep 2015 - May 2016

Achieving unprecedented success pitching at the first ‘Dragons Den’ style business case approvals process, negotiated the placement of a multi-million-pound defence contract for procurement and operational delivery of the Maritime Communications Coherence Programme. As programme lead, managed hardware and delivery of support infrastructure, deploying upgraded terrestrial communication systems to every surface ship in the Royal Navy. Achieving unprecedented success pitching at the first ‘Dragons Den’ style business case approvals process, negotiated the placement of a multi-million-pound defence contract for procurement and operational delivery of the Maritime Communications Coherence Programme. As programme lead, managed hardware and delivery of support infrastructure, deploying upgraded terrestrial communication systems to every surface ship in the Royal Navy.

Media Operations Director & Engineering Department Head

• Dec 2013 - Sep 2015

Project managed several pan-Government, multi-agency, international strategic engagement projects for the ship, including: D-Day 70th Commemorations in Normandy and Gallipoli 100th Anniversary in Turkey. Engaged routinely with UK/international media agencies, preparing press releases, hosting press conferences and conducting broadcast and print interviews. Delivered combat ready platform and systems. Project managed several pan-Government, multi-agency, international strategic engagement projects for the ship, including: D-Day 70th Commemorations in Normandy and Gallipoli 100th Anniversary in Turkey. Engaged routinely with UK/international media agencies, preparing press releases, hosting press conferences and conducting broadcast and print interviews. Delivered combat ready platform and systems.

Strategic Relationship Enabler, UK/US Maritime C4ISR & Interoperability

• Aug 2010 - Jul 2013

UK Chair of the 5-EYES communications and networking interoperability group influencing future UK capability procurement requirements. Interlocution between UK and US maritime military stakeholders responsible for delivering systems and protocols to optimise inter-ship operational data and information exchange. Curated UK interaction with US Navy/US Marine Corps/Fleet Cyber Command, setting some of the early conditions for success in integration of F35 aircraft into the UK Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier. Show less

Career Manager, HR Professional

• Jan 2008 - Aug 2010

Weapon Engineer Officer, Head Of Department, Type 23 Frigate

• Jul 2005 - Dec 2007

Graduate Advanced Command & Staff Course

• 2004 - 2005