Service Leavers & Veterans

The Armed Forces has shaped who I am today, instilling discipline, strong focus on safety, and deep respect for teamwork and collaboration. I take pride in leading by example, supporting the people around me, and doing the right thing even when it’s not the easiest option. Working at OCU means being part of a team that values structure, integrity, and the real strengths that veterans bring to the table.

The military taught me that people are the strategy. Success comes down to one thing: the right person, in the right role, at the right moment. I learned to think clearly under pressure, decide with incomplete information, and lead through influence, not rank. Those instincts shape how I build resourcing capability today, because behind every role is a person whose potential, properly placed, changes the outcome for everyone.

My time in the Australian Army taught me to stay calm under extreme pressure, build resilience, and understand that trust and teamwork are earned every day. At work I try to pair high standards with empathy as a senior leader, developing capability through excellence while creating the conditions for people to do their best work.

My 30-year career in the British Army instilled in me a strong foundation of leadership, resilience and delivering complex outcomes in demanding environments. Since joining OCU, I’ve been able to bring those skills into the digital space - helping drive programs forward, support teams, and enable change. It’s important to me to work within an organisation that values the Armed Forces community, and I’ve found that.

Serving as an Australian military officer and within the Special Forces taught me the value of disciplined leadership, clear decision-making and building teams that perform under pressure. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to shape my approach as COO, where delivering operational excellence, developing people and achieving sustainable growth all rely on strong teamwork and accountability.

Twelve years in the Royal Australian Navy, across multiple platforms and shore locations, shaped how I think about risk. That perspective carries directly into my role as Lead HSE Advisor, where the goal isn't just to respond when things go wrong, but to build the systems and culture that prevent them from going wrong in the first place.

Over 25 years in the Cadet Forces, I progressed to Lieutenant Commander and oversaw eight units across the North West. In 2019, I joined the Army Reserves Royal Artillery Regiment, initially serving on a Light Gun detachment before moving into an Artillery Logistics role. Both experiences have strengthened my leadership, governance, risk management and teamwork skills, which support my senior SHEQ role today.

I served for two years in the German Armoured Reconnaissance Unit during the Kosovo conflict from 1999 to 2001. This experience taught me at an early age how to follow orders in high-pressure environments, work effectively as part of a team, and look out for the safety and wellbeing of others.

My husband Dan was an Officer in the RAF (Military Police) for 25 years, now retired. The military was a big part of our lives for many years and sets a great foundation for core skills and behaviours valued in the corporate world. It builds strong discipline, accountability, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to perform under pressure.

My time in the New Zealand Army has given me lifelong skills, such as leadership, determination, and respect. This has served me well in the Civil world, it still plays a large part of who I am, and it’s important to me to work for a company that recognises and supports those with an Armed Forces background.

I joined the Sea Cadets in 1979 and have remained involved ever since. Alongside service in the Royal Naval Reserve, I progressed through every cadet rate and adult rank, from New Entry Cadet to Lieutenant Commander. I now serve as District Officer for Clyde South and received the Lord Lieutenant's Certificate of Meritorious Service earlier this year. Volunteering with the cadet forces has been incredibly rewarding.