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IssueIssue 125 125 DecemberDecember 2018 2018 thethe magazine magazine for for defencedefence equipment equipment andand support support des
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Helicopters | Aeronautics | Electronics, Defence & Security Systems | Space Forewordwas delighted the Ceremony RAF Atlas delivered a cargo of Remembrance at MOD load weighing 23 tonnes by Abbey Wood was so well parachute over Salisbury Plain Iattended and know all our DE&S and confirmed the aircraft’s sites will have also paid their ability to do so without needing respects in their own equally to land. poignant way. And DE&S has provided significant support to Exercise Trident Juncture and ensured "Each year Remembrance Sunday brings into sharp focus for that the biggest NATO training exercise for many years was a me the importance of what we do – provide safe equipment success. There have been individual and support to today's armed forces" triumphs too, with Lucy Finch winning her category Each year Remembrance at the prestigious Women in Sunday brings into sharp focus Defence UK awards and DE&S for me the importance of what apprentice Phoebe Loveridge, we do – provide safe equipment who has been named the and support to today's armed Institute of Engineering and forces. Technology (IET) Apprentice of Our dedicated workforce’s the Year 2018. determination to do that, I’m While Phoebe has just pleased to say, has seen some finished her apprenticeship, of our teams recognised at Desider has a fascinating story this year’s Minister for Defence this month around one of our Procurement Awards. more recent starters, who says Well done to the Chinook he is thoroughly enjoying life at project team, who were the DE&S. overall winners, and to all our Craig Hamilton served with teams that enjoyed success – the Royal Marines for 23 years you thoroughly deserve it and before changing track and your incredible efforts are hugely joining us, in his 40s, as an appreciated. apprentice. His life experience It is another success this and understanding of equipment year for Mark Geoghegan, the will be invaluable and proves Chinook team leader, who also that our apprentice scheme featured in a national newspaper attracts a wide range of talented extolling the exciting nature of people. project management at DE&S. I am sure the great work By Sir Simon Bollom, CEO Back to business, our we do to promote DE&S, continued achievements are such as our employees who reflected this month in the supported the London Science significant news around F-35, Museum’s ‘We are Engineers including the delivery of the 17th Family Festival’ and were able aircraft, and news that the UK to engage with thousands of has purchased a further 17 of schoolchildren, will ensure we the cutting-edge fighter jets. continue to recruit such talented Elsewhere, a state-of-the-art people. Chinook Mk6 synthetic training And finally, thank you to all facility that will help Chinook those who made the effort crews rehearse missions has to attend the funeral of RAF been officially opened at RAF veteran Frank Cox following his Odiham. wife’s heartfelt appeal. She was Engineers on board HMS clearly very touched by your Prince of Wales have turned on kind efforts. its diesel generators for the first time – another significant step in delivering the UK’s second new aircraft carrier. We have overseen record- breaking trials where an
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4 desider December 2018 Feature Contents
06 Senior Leader On the cover Comment – Director Features DE&S cargo drop trials over Helicopters, Air Vice- 12 Craig Hamilton – Royal Salisbury Plain Marshal Graham Marine veteran turned Russell DE&S apprentice Photo courtesy of QinetiQ 24 DE&S teams ensure News success of huge NATO 08 Agreement reached training exercise to buy further F-35B aircraft DE&S People 09 State-of-the-art First Person – Chinook Simulator 16 Special Projects facility opened Communications and 14 Lucy Finch triumphs at Force Protection team Women in Defence leader Vikash Patel Awards 22 Major Owen Larsen 15 A400M record cargo swims English drop trials overseen Channel by DE&S 23 60 Second Spotlight 18 DE&S employees – Apache Mk1 inspire and educate Certification Manager at Science Museum Peter Robinson 19 Prince of Wales 26 DE&S People – DE&S aircraft carrier engines Devonport Apprentices switched on Annual Deeds and 20 DE&S teams Awards Ceremony celebrated at the 28 Jobs – Desider’s latest Minister for Defence recruitment pages and Procurement benefits Acquisition Awards
www.gov.uk/government/publications/desider-2018 Twitter: @DefenceES Facebook: @DefenceES LinkedIn: Defence Equipment & Support YouTube: DE&S
5 desider December 2018 Senior Leader Comment
Air Vice-Marshal Graham Russell, Director Helicopters, talks to Desider about his role, the importance of safety and a better future for DE&S
have been honoured to be the on our laurels and I frequently and individuals are winning Director of the Helicopters work with the Helicopters delivery awards, including national Operating Centre (OC) for teams to ensure that new aircraft To aspire to industry awards – a real sense of Ijust over two years, leading the and equipment are safe when be the best pride for us all. OC responsible for the MOD’s they enter service and remain safe Of course, to aspire to be the owned and leased helicopter throughout their life. The recent and continue best and continue delivering for types; from our biggest fleets – safe rundown of the Lynx and Sea delivering for our armed forces we cannot afford Chinook, Merlin and Apache – to King fleets to their out of service to stand still and need to look for small, single aircraft contracts. dates has been an essential, but our armed the next opportunity. For me, the While large acquisition projects frequently overlooked, part of our forces we adoption of Smart Working is that often get the headlines, our role. opportunity. When I introduced in-service support activity is A key focus for my team is cannot afford to elements of Smart Working in a equally important. One of the delivery of the remaining elements stand still and previous role the trust in everyone most rewarding parts of my role of transformation and the delivery to deliver to their objectives led is to witness enhancements in of DE&S@21 – our vision for need to look to increases in output, flexibility availability and reliability and DE&S. In considering our future, for the next and morale. It’s less about “time at reductions in cost which have we should also remember our opportunity the office desk”, it’s more about the been won by the in-service teams transformation journey. Consider positive effect you are having. We through dedication and hard work. what we have achieved together have a great opportunity; we must Such hard work doesn’t often hit over the past few years and you seize it, as part of DE&S@21. the headlines but is essential in cannot fail to be impressed. Many of the changes we are delivering effective operational Through professionalisation seeing will make DE&S more support. and the use of effective tools, we effective and a more rewarding An important aspect of my are becoming a truly intelligent place to work. It is difficult to role is to deliver helicopters customer, holding our contractors remember that when today’s which are safe to fly and provide to account in a much more problems appear difficult. a high level of protection to their effective way and ensuring However, problems are there to occupants. The focus on safety delivery to time, cost and quality. be solved and if we focus as much over recent decades has delivered Increasingly, we are spotting risks on our successes as we do on our a step-change in safety levels, with and delays in projects before our challenges then the vision of DE&S aircraft accident rates a fraction contractors do; driving more @21 will become a self-fulfilling of those achieved historically due effective resolutions, saving time prophecy. The future is ours to to better design, testing and safety and money and delivering a better own and is achievable if we work systems. However, we can’t rest product. Consequently, our teams together.
6 INNOVATING FOR OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGE
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At PA Consulting we work across the defence enterprise to help our clients keep the nation safe. 1_9_95480 Photography: Ministry of Defence © Crown copyright 2018 copyright © Crown of Defence Ministry 1_9_95480 Photography: desider December 2018 News
Eventful end to year for UK F-35 Lightning programme Pictured: An F-35B Lightning II jet onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth (Picture by LPhot Kyle Heller)
E&S was involved in Delivery Team Leader, DE&S, allows the ship to move on to several important UK This new contract added: “The team is now turning operational trials next year with F-35 Lightning milestones to delivering these aircraft and British-owned F-35s flown by Dtowards the end of 2018, including demonstrates how to achieving other important Naval and Air Force aviators based an order that will double the fleet our armed forces are milestones, foremost the at RAF Marham. to 35 aircraft. equipped by DE&S with achievement of Initial Operating Separately, the MOD has The 17 new F-35B jets, which the latest equipment Capability.” awarded a £160 million contract to will be delivered between 2020 and support In 2018, the UK took delivery Kier VolkerFitzpatrick to deliver and 2022, will complement the of three F-35B aircraft – the last of infrastructure to ready RAF 17 British aircraft currently based Sir Simon Bollom, DE&S CEO which took place on November 15. Lakenheath for two squadrons at RAF Marham and in the US, The jet flew into Beaufort, South of US F-35s. The Suffolk airbase as well as one additional aircraft Carolina, and will arrive at RAF will be the first permanent already on order. Marham next year. international site for US Air Force Overall, the UK has committed Another key milestone is the F-35s in Europe and continues the to procure 138 aircraft over the life completion of phase one of First of base’s long and proud history of of the programme. Class Flight Trials on HMS Queen supporting US Air Force capability Sir Simon Bollom, DE&S Elizabeth. The trials took place off in the UK. CEO, said: “As the largest the US east coast, and successfully operator of F-35s outside of the demonstrated how aircraft and US, the acquisition of 17 more carrier can operate safely together. Lightning aircraft underscores our Two jets and four test pilots, commitment to the programme. based at the Integrated Test Force This new contract demonstrates (ITF) at Naval Air Station Patuxent how our armed forces are River in Maryland, joined the equipped by DE&S with the latest carrier in late September. Over equipment and support.” a two-month period, they The 17 jets being ordered are performed 200 short take-offs, part of a $6 billion contract for 187 vertical landings, 15 ‘rolling’ 255 aircraft being built for the landings and dropped 54 dummy global F-35 enterprise. This is bombs into the Atlantic. good news for the UK economy, The carrier is now spending as British companies are building time in Norfolk, Virginia, approximately 15 per cent by value offloading the ITF team and their of all 3,000-plus F-35s planned for equipment before heading back to production. Portsmouth in time for Christmas. Mark Thornton, Lighting The success of the deployment
8 desider December 2018 News
State-of-the-art Chinook simulators ready for training Pictured: A pilot using the Chinook Mk6 synthetic training facility at RAF Odiham (Picture courtesy of Lockheed Martin UK)
new, purpose-built facility The team at DE&S have been Martin UK will now see the procured by DE&S The technology we working on the project for almost company provide a 10-year service that uses cutting-edge five years, with many of them package to the Chinook Mk6 Atechnology to replicate real-life have been able to seeing it from start to finish. Synthetic Training System, which operations for Chinook helicopter deliver is a tremendous “It’s really great to see that we will deliver around 4,000 simulator crews has been officially opened. success and seeing it are delivering something that is hours each year, ensuring crews The Chinook Mk6 synthetic in action is a real boost absolutely cutting-edge for the air are at a permanent state of training facility was built following to the team crews to train in”, Mr Cole added. readiness to deploy. a £53 million contract with “We have had our successes and Adrian Baguley, Director Air Lockheed Martin UK, Rotary and Russ Cole, Flight Simulation our challenges to work through, Support at DE&S, said: “DE&S Mission Systems. It is housed at and Synthetic Trainer team but the technology we have been is proud to be providing this RAF Odiham in Hampshire – leader at DE&S able to deliver is a tremendous new state-of-the-art Chinook home of the Chinook Force, a key success and seeing it in action is a training facility for the Chinook component of the Joint Helicopter real boost to the team.” Force that draws on cutting-edge Command. The state-of-the-art technology technology, including augmented The augmented reality includes two cockpit simulators, reality, to give the whole of our technology will help Chinook a rear cabin device and a suite Chinook crews a new immersive crews train and prepare for of computer based training synthetic training capability. This missions as a whole-crew in a equipment. It will train crews on new world-class facility will enable synthetic environment for the first how to work together in specific the crews to prepare for missions time in the 40-year history of the flying, emergency and mission across the globe.” UK Chinook Force. capabilities of the Chinook Russ Cole, Flight Simulation Mk6 aircraft, such as relocating and Synthetic Trainer team leader troops and equipment around the at DE&S, said: “For the first time battlefield or evacuating citizens c e we are able to connect the pilots from dangerous conditions www des d and rear crew so they can work in national and overseas and train together as a whole crew. environments. “This is supplemented by This highly realistic and augmented reality technology, immersive environment allows which means not only can they the aircrew to undertake high see what is physically there, but we risk training operations, such as a are also able to project the outside battlefield re-supply or a medical world that isn’t there, providing a evacuation in an urban area, from realistic and absolutely fantastic the safety of a simulator. view of the world synthetically.” The contract with Lockheed
9 desider December 2018 News In Brief
DE&S staff honour RAF veteran A contingent of 26 RAF personnel serving at MOD Abbey Wood made their way to a veteran’s funeral after his wife made a heartfelt appeal for people to attend. Francis Raymond Cox, known to his friends and family as Frank, passed away on October 24 from vascular dementia at the age of 92. Having lost touch with friends his wife Jennifer feared not many would attend his funeral and was particularly keen that some military attended to recognise his service in the RAF during the 1940s. To his family’s delight, following an appeal from Veterans JAMES Modern launched Honoured, more than 150 people A critical engineering and asset The JAMES project team, crammed into All Saints’ Church management system for land together with Lockheed Martin, in Winterbourne Down on equipment all around the world were able to effectively make the Monday, November 20, for the has been upgraded to ensure an upgrade because the introduction service. enhanced user experience. of MODNet allowed the team Flight Lieutenant Karla Vaile, JAMES provides engineering greater flexibility to overhaul the who coordinated the DE&S and capability management software. attendees, said: “We felt it was information for over 1.6 million Chris Whiting, JAMES Delivery important to recognise and pieces of equipment across the Team Leader, said: “Keeping our honour the service that Mr Cox Land Environment, including asset and engineering records up had given to his country and we small arms, parachutes and plant to date is imperative, not only for were delighted to give him the equipment. the life of the equipment, but for send-off he deserved.” The new system, JAMES ensuring it continues to serve the Francis’ widow, Jennifer, Modern, gives users an enhanced needs of those on the front line.” said: “I have been completely experience with easier navigation, The new system launched on overwhelmed by the support we a new layout and responsive November 28. Visit www.james- have had.” dynamic content. project.r.mil.uk
Julie wins prestigious award for outstanding service DE&S employee Julie Jefferies Building for the awards ceremony, has won a MOD Finance Award which she described as being for her outstanding service a “very exciting and thought- and dedication to the Finance provoking day.” Function. She added: “DE&S has given Julie, who has worked in the me opportunities to develop MOD for more than 30 years, a successful career by being has been at DE&S since it was very supportive, encouraging founded in 2008, working at first training and providing access as a Planning/Finance officer for to professional qualifications. the Fleet Plans office. The organisation has also been Julie works in Joint Enablers very helpful now of my taking and remains in the domain partial retirement, recognising having taken partial retirement in I still have skills and experience August. that I can continue to use and Of her award Julie said: “I was pass on to newer members of the very shocked and surprised to organisation.” have won, but also honoured. Others recognised included Many of us come to work to do Jayne Norman from DE&S the best we can, without looking Ships, who won the Outstanding for reward or recognition, so Contribution to the Finance when it does happen, with such Function, and DE&S Apprentice a high award as well, it’s very Dominic Brown, who received a uplifting.” commendation in the Emerging Julie travelled to MOD Main Talent of the Year category.
10 desider December 2018 News In Brief Beth Squire
Hundreds of DE&S staff came to a standstill at MOD Abbey Wood to observe the traditional silence in memory of UK Service personnel who have fallen in combat around the globe. The ceremony, led by DE&S Padre Wing Commander Andrew Jones, saw CEO Sir Simon Bollom lead a party of senior DE&S officials in laying a wreath in the centre of the central piazza alongside Mr Alan Grey (Trade Unions) and local MP Jack Lopresti.
Phoebe lands apprentice award DE&S apprentice Phoebe opportunities and work that gets Loveridge has been named the undertaken down in the South PM pays Institute of Engineering and West at HMNB Devonport.” Technology (IET) Apprentice of The IET said that, during her respects to the Year 2018. apprenticeship, Phoebe stood Jeremy Heywood Phoebe, who recently took up out from her peers, always ready a full-time position at HMNB to volunteer for STEM events in Prime Minister Theresa May paid Devonport for the Submarine local schools and working with tribute to Jeremy Heywood, who Delivery Agency (SDA), was children during a six-week STEM died on November 4, just days after recognised for her outstanding event to encourage women in retiring as Cabinet Secretary and engineering and technical engineering within the local area. Head of the Civil Service. understanding as well as her work “I want to continue to act Lord Heywood, who held as a role model to young women as a role model for females in numerous senior roles within looking to get into engineering. Engineering and encourage young government and was appointed Phoebe said: “This award individuals to start their careers Head of the Civil Service in means so much to me. I feel through apprenticeships”, she September 2014, was 56 years old. proud to represent Women added. The Prime Minister said: “Jeremy in Engineering and show the worked tirelessly to serve our country in the finest traditions of the Civil Service and he is a huge loss to British public life. “I will always be grateful for the support which he gave me personally and will remember his achievements across his career as we regret that he did not have the chance to offer his talents for longer in retirement.” Sir Mark Sedwill, Lord Heywood’s successor as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, said: “Jeremy considered it a privilege to lead the hundreds of thousands of civil servants up and down the country, and across the world, who work day after day to make people’s lives better.”
11 desider December 2018 Feature Beth Squire Picture: Picture:
12 desider December 2018 FeatureNews “Everybody was on their hands and knees searching for my nose. I needed eight hours of plastic surgery!”
After 23 years of active service with the Royal Marines, Craig Hamilton decided it was time for a change. He swapped protecting Royals and dignitaries for a place on the DE&S engineering apprentice scheme – and he’s loving every minute. Craig spoke to Desider editor Tom Morris
Bodyguarding is not about throwing yourself in the Royal Marines. front of bullets – contrary to what Hollywood Craig said: “I had an interesting time there. On would have you believe”, Craig Hamilton tells me one occasion the vehicle I was travelling in on a night “with a wry smile. convey flipped six times end over end and when we “Your sole purpose is to protect the individual and stopped bullets were raining down on us. draw fire away from them – and that’s towards you “We were sitting ducks but somehow we got out of instead if necessary.” there, but to this day we don’t know what happened Craig knows what he is talking about, having and the guys who recovered the vehicle couldn’t served several of his years with the Royal Marines in believe we had survived." Close Protection in Afghanistan, assuring the safety He adds casually: “I was pretty lucky with injury of, amongst many others, Prince Charles, politician really. To be honest, my worst was when I was David Miliband and former UK Ambassador to disarming a weapon and, through my own stupidity, Afghanistan Sir Mark Sedwill, who was appointed as the recoil spring shot out and ripped my nose apart. Head of the Civil Service in October. “Everybody was on their hands and knees “In Kabul the British Embassy was a prime searching for my nose and I took it up to the medics target and, frankly, anything or anyone British was who sowed the flap on inside out and upside down. I considered fair game by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda,” needed eight hours of plastic surgery!” Craig, 45, said. After a few years further service, Craig started to “Improvised Explosive Device attacks and being assess his next move in life. shot at were regular occurrences and there were a few “I was a Sergeant by this point and given the option very close shaves, but that’s what we were trained to to extend a further five years, which would have do. taken me through to 50, but decided it was time for a “I got a real buzz from it but, when you are change”, he said. constantly perceiving threat and having to operate “My wife saw the DE&S apprentice scheme on on a different alertness level, it’s almost impossible to social media and said it sounded perfect for me and I switch it off – which can be pretty frustrating.” had to agree. One of the attractions was that I may get Craig had decided to join the Royal Marines after the opportunity to help shape the thinking process realising a life in retail was not for him. around kit so we can provide the very best to the After completing his training with distinction, he armed forces. was posted in 1996 to 45 Commando in Arbroath, “I’m of course a lot older than many of them and where he was immediately dispatched on jungle that did make me wonder whether it was the right training in Brunei. thing, but I have loved every minute. I genuinely look After a brief secondment to London, Craig spent forward to going to work every morning. six years with the Royal Marines Police, where, while “It’s been a great decision.” on the front line in operations including Operation Interested? Visit www.des.mod.uk for details of Telic in Iraq, he was responsible for investigating Apprentice and graduate schemes. disciplinary matters, both minor and major within
13 desider December 2018 News
DE&S' Lucy Finch triumphs in 'emerging talent' category at Women in Defence UK awards 2018 Pictured: Lucy Finch receiving her award from Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (Picture courtesy of Women in Defence UK awards)
E&S employee Lucy Finch commended for how she manages even nominated for this award, has said she was ‘deeply The award ceremony and engages with stakeholders specifically as the nomination was honoured’ to win the such as the US Government and made by the Submarine Delivery D'emerging talent' category at the was incredible and I’m industry partners and is happy Agency, who benefit greatly from prestigious Women in Defence UK deeply honoured to be to challenge the status quo or the the apprentices that I manage.” awards. considered amongst a general consensus if she believes Women in Defence UK aims to Lucy, of the DE&S International field of such talented that an approach can be improved. inspire women to succeed, share Guns Missiles and Rockets team women from across “It was very encouraging to see experience, build networks and at MOD Abbey Wood, picked up defence such strong support for developing encourage talent at all levels to join the award presented by Defence diversity in the sector and I left the the defence sector. Secretary Gavin Williamson Lucy Finch, winner (emerging event inspired by what others were Angela Owen, founder of during a glitzy ceremony held talent) at Women in Defence achieving within their own areas”, Women in Defence UK, said: at The Imperial War Museum in UK awards she added. “We’re delighted to have seen London. “I’d encourage others to such an inspiring and diverse list The 25-year-old, who has nominate those they work with of finalists during this special a degree in engineering and for next year’s awards, as we do year marking the centenary of a post-graduate diploma in some amazing work at DE&S that suffrage. Each finalist should feel explosive ordinance engineering, deserves to be recognised.” rightly proud of their exceptional was nominated for her work as Also shortlisted for an award achievements and recognition the Lead Weapons Integration was DE&S employee Lorna within the defence community.” Engineer delivering Paveway IV Stubbs, the Engineering Trainee Mk2 laser-guided bomb onto the Development Manager at UK F-35 aircraft. Devonport, who was nominated in Lucy, who took up engineering the ‘Unsung heroines’ category. because of her love of problem- The duo were amongst finalists solving, said: “The award in 10 categories chosen from more ceremony was incredible and I’m than 300 entries from across the deeply honoured to be considered Defence community, including amongst a field of such talented the armed forces, Civil Service, women from across defence.” GCHQ, MI5 and defence industry. Lucy, who started working Lorna said: “It was a real at DE&S four years ago, was surprise and honour to be
14 desider December 2018 News
UK Atlas breaks parachute delivery record during DE&S cargo drop trials Pictured: The DE&S cargo drop trials over Salisbury Plain (Picture courtesy of QinetiQ)
n RAF Atlas delivered our industry partners to mature Results from the trial, which a cargo load weighing tactical capabilities for front line took place last month, will 23 tonnes by parachute This has been a use in RAF operations.” now be fed back into the Atlas Aover Salisbury Plain in a record- fantastic team effort, DE&S personnel set the development programme, which is breaking test of the transport bringing together staff engineering requirement and qualifying the aircraft to perform aircraft’s next-generation from DE&S, the RAF ensured the aircraft was airworthy such operations in active RAF capabilities. A400M community at for the trial. service. The drops, representing the Atlas allows the RAF to deliver The international Atlas heaviest overall load ever air- Brize Norton and our heavier loads by parachute than programme, delivered by Airbus, dropped by a UK aircraft, took industry partners ever before. By comparison, the is supporting around 8,000 jobs place as part of trials overseen maximum cargo weight deliverable in the UK. In total, the UK has by DE&S in partnership with James Dowson, DE&S via the Container Delivery ordered 22 Atlas aircraft, all of the RAF, the Joint Air Delivery Atlas A400M Delivery Team System from a C-130J Hercules is which are expected to be delivered Test and Evaluation Unit and Air Leader approximately 15 tonnes. to the RAF by the early 2020s. Warfare Centre, QinetiQ and The UK’s Atlas fleet is being Airbus. developed to complement the The trials confirm Atlas’ ability Hercules fleet in support of to deliver heavy loads, such as transport operations all over the c e military equipment, supplies and world. Atlas is currently in service www des d humanitarian aid, without needing with 24 and 70 Squadrons, based to land. at RAF Brize Norton. DE&S Atlas A400M Delivery Wing Commander Ed Team Leader James Dowson Horne, Officer Commanding 70 said: “These successful trials – Squadron, said: “Atlas has already involving the largest load ever proven itself on active service, air-dropped by a UK aircraft – are including in medical evacuation an impressive demonstration of and humanitarian relief roles. A400M’s ability to deliver essential “These trials confirm the RAF cargo to where it is needed. has one of the most capable “This has been a fantastic team transport fleets in the entire world effort, bringing together staff and are a significant step forward from DE&S, the RAF A400M in qualifying Atlas for even more community at Brize Norton and operations.”
15 Picture: Jack Eckersley desider December 2018 DE&S People
On challenges, team pride and making a difference
Vikash Patel is team leader of the Special Projects Communications and Force Protection (SPCFP) delivery team at DE&S, delivering life-saving equipment
What does your role involve? within DE&S, our customer price. Although an engineer by base and our suppliers. This education, I am a very much a As SPCFP team leader, I am collaborative approach is a key project manager at heart and accountable for leading a team enabler to translating some of the DE&S, as one of the largest project of over 110 staff comprising excellent new ways of working delivery organisations across civilians and military personnel in DE&S to deliver real benefits Government, offers huge diversity to deliver and support Specialist to our customers. Over the past and opportunity. Communications and Force two years we have worked closely Protection Electronic Counter with our Army HQ customer What do you most enjoy about Measures (ECM) to multiple front and the Defence Electronics and your job? line commands. We deliver truly Components Agency to develop As I have already mentioned, life-saving capabilities by enabling a new ECM support solution I am motivated by delivering front line troops to communicate that will maximise equipment equipment capability for our effectively in the most demanding availability and has saved Defence armed forces, but in doing that, of environments, as well as being many millions of pounds in the I really enjoy working with and able to detect and/or defeat process. alongside my fantastic team. They the growing threats such as are a hugely diverse group of improvised explosive devices. What is your view on committed, focused and hard- transformation? What about your role is working people. exciting, rewarding or Although it has been What do you enjoy doing in interesting? challenging – changing the way we work, the processes we follow, and your spare time? I have a fantastic team that the tools we use – transformation In my spare-time I enjoy cycling delivers over 45 projects and is bringing a real sense of control and wielding a cricket bat. I service delivery activities. Due to back to the various projects within used to be fairly good at cricket the breadth and the fast-paced SPCFP and provides me with and represented the district and nature of our business, every day the intelligence I need to assure county at youth level. I now enjoy presents a different challenge and I delivery on promises. Individuals spending time conversing about very much value the diversity that across the functions, having the finer points of the game with my role brings. Given the specific established a solid professional my 8-year-old son, teaching him requirements of our specialist focus and understanding, are all the things not to do! customer base and the smaller now starting to optimise the way nature of some of our projects, we they work together to deliver the What might surprise people also see very active deployment necessary outputs and provide about you? of existing equipment we support assurance of success while doing I like to do some charity work and regular delivery of new so. and have in the past supported equipment into service. Knowing several charities in terms of we are making this very real and Why did you choose to pursue their Management and Business tangible difference is incredibly a career in DE&S? Governance. Most recently I was rewarding. The initial draw was the the vice chairman of a local charity How important to you is incredible graduate training that supported the victims of teamwork? scheme on offer – including that inequality and especially race-hate all important overseas placement. crime. It is a subject I feel strongly Teamwork is fundamental to However, having now spent about and I hope to take some of achieving success in our line of several years working across the my experience to add value on this work and I am fortunate enough MOD, the thing that has always front across the DE&S through to have a team that prides itself kept me close to DE&S is the representing the Joint Enablers on effective teamwork, which sense of achievement I get from domain on the DE&S Multi- extends beyond the walls of the practically supporting our armed Cultural Community Network. floorplate. We try to ensure that forces and equipping them with we have strong and effective the best equipment for the best relationships across other areas
17 desider December 2018 News
DE&S employees grasp golden opportunity to inspire young minds about science and engineering Pictured: DE&S Senior Fellow Dr Eluned Lewis during the London Science Museum's ‘We are Engineers Family Festival’ (Picture courtesy London Science Museum)
E&S employees engaged “I wanted to inspire the it can be a career for everyone. with thousands of next generation of engineers I realised this was Dr Lewis said: “Working schoolchildren in support and scientists into STEM and with body armour is an unusual Dof the London Science Museum’s Defence-related careers”, she said. a huge opportunity and exciting career and I ‘We are Engineers Family Festival’. “I realised this was a huge to reach out to am passionate about STEM The team of five attended opportunity to reach out to thousands of visitors engagement. Having been three days of a week-long event thousands of visitors and tell them and tell them about involved in Families Days at to showcase body armour and about the great work we do at the great work we do MOD Abbey Wood, there has helmets and talk about the science DE&S to deliver equipment to the at DE&S to deliver always been huge interest from and engineering behind the life- armed forces.” equipment to the children and parents alike about saving protection. The Science Museum was body armour and helmets, trying With the museum drawing hosting the family festival and armed forces it all on and taking pictures of in around 15,000 visitors per other activities for schools in Dr Eluned Lewis, DE&S themselves wearing it. day, the event provided a huge support of the Year of Engineering Senior Fellow “This was an opportunity to opportunity to reach out to the campaign and wanted to showcase take the MOD Abbey Wood next generation of innovators unusual and exciting fields within Families Day ‘on the road’ and and problem solvers and talk engineering. it went down really well. The about the work that DE&S does to Other activities on show children were really excited and support the armed forces. included trying your hand loved finding out about how and Dr Eluned Lewis, DE&S Senior at welding edible chocolate why military body armour has Fellow in Personal Ballistic creations, controlling your friend’s changed over the years and also Protection and the Deputy muscles using electric currents loved trying it all on.” Technical Discipline Lead for and racing to the top thanks to the Science in the Engineering power of gears. Function, spotted the call out for The event also provided an volunteers from the museum and opportunity for the team – which felt it was an excellent opportunity included James Davis from the to “give something back”. Technology Office and Barbara She joined hundreds of Clarke, Greg Stafford and Callum engineers who applied to lead Partridge from the Soldier, activities and was pleased to Training and Special Projects hear her idea was one of the ones Team – to talk and share their chosen as an “exciting engineering stories of engineering to show that activity”.
18 desider December 2018 News
Prince of Wales fires up engines for first time Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales in build at Rosyth dockyard in May (Picture by Andrew Linnnett)
he UK’s second new aircraft in bringing HMS Prince of Wales great innovation, real perseverance carrier has reached another This significant step into service. in the face of setbacks and a significant milestone after “This significant step forward commitment to quality that has Ther engines were fired up for the forward has been has been achieved through been truly impressive. first time. achieved through effective collaboration and "These are becoming the Engineers on board HMS effective collaboration hard work between industry, hallmarks of HMS Prince of Prince of Wales turned on the and hard work between Government and the Royal Navy. I Wales. Great teamwork from diesel generators – a key milestone industry, Government look forward to seeing the second a large number of groups and on the road to sending the and the Royal Navy of these impressive aircraft carriers individuals.” 65,000-tonne warship to sea in the join her sister ship, HMS Queen second half of next year. Henry Parker, Director Ships Elizabeth, in the Fleet.” In the bowels of the carrier Acquisition for DE&S A 40-strong team of Navy and – in the later stages of fitting civilian engineers were briefed, out at Rosyth dockyard near and an announcement made Edinburgh – there are four throughout the ship before, with Wärtsilä diesel generators, each the press of a button, the first of capable of producing more than 11 four diesels roared into life. Megawatts of power – enough to Lieutenant James Sheridan- support a town of 25,000 people. Browne, the carrier’s power and Collectively, these four diesels propulsion engineering officer, generate 40 per cent of the total said: “With the first run of HMS power produced by the carrier; the Prince of Wales’ diesel generators Rolls-Royce MT30 main engines now complete, the ship is truly which drive the ship through the coming to life on its own systems. water account for the rest, but “The running of diesel they have yet to be switched on. generators will now continue to When they are, each can meet the provide a steady drumbeat to electricity needs of Burnley or sailing the ship to Portsmouth in Guildford. 2019.” Firing up the Wärtsiläs marked Simon Lister, managing director the culmination of years of of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, planning, installation, wiring, added: “To all involved – and testing and finally commissioning. that is a large proportion of the Director Ships Acquisition for entire workforce – my thanks and DE&S, Henry Parker, said: “The congratulations on achieving the running of the diesel generators first diesel start. is another important milestone “This has seen focused effort,
19 desider December 2018 News
Pictured clockwise from top: Chinook Delivery Team, Special Projects Search and Counter Measures Team, Air Defence and Electronic Warfare Systems, Fixed Wing Contract Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Team, Future Submarines Team (Pictures by Owen Cooban)
20 desider December 2018 NNewsews DE&S teams rewarded for their dedication at Min DP Acquisition Awards
E&S enjoyed well-deserved success at the The DE&SAir Defence and Electronic Warfare Minister (Defence Procurement) Acquisition Systems (ADEWS) team were recognised for Awards, with the Chinook Delivery Team Programme Tartarus, which ensured a £10 million Dsecuring ultimate glory as overall winners. RAF radar facility was installed on a remote Scottish Now in their 16th year, the awards recognise island in order to track unidentified aircraft. teams from across defence for their exceptional Based at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire, the team performance, innovation, effort and commitment in were tasked with an urgent requirement to restore an the field of acquisition. Air Defence radar capability at Saxa Vord in Shetland. Stuart Andrew MP, the Minister for Defence Their ‘outstanding teamwork, innovation, Procurement, presented eight awards during the pragmatism and total commitment’ to the annual ceremony on November 19 at Main Building programme were noted, as well as delivering Initial Other winners in London. Operating Capability 17 months ahead of schedule This year’s big winners were the DE&SChinook despite the complexity of the infrastructure work and The RAF Rapid Delivery Team, who, in addition to their Acquisition atrocious weather. Capabilities Office Award, walked away with this year’s Overall Winner Dave Braun, ADEWS Team Leader, said: “This won the Special Award Award. award reflects the efforts of our team, customer alongside their Acquisition The team was praised for delivering a range of and industry partners to deliver in often extreme Award for repeatedly projects and in-service support arrangements to conditions and under trying circumstances – I’m challenging traditional deliver technical and safety enhancements to 60 really proud of what the whole Tartarus team have practice and looking to Chinook helicopters to meet urgent operational achieved together.” develop new innovative needs, humanitarian relief and a deployment to the Also rewarded was the Fixed Wing Contract ways of working, to enable South Atlantic islands. Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance team, the successful delivery Also highlighted were their professional planning, which comprises DE&S, Joint Forces Command and of 19 key equipment outstanding collaboration and highly effective other MOD staff. capability projects in a delivery, which allowed the team – and wider They were recognised for taking on an extremely year. stakeholders – to deliver a myriad of safety and challenging, unbounded requirement, directed by capability enhancing modifications to ensure the the National Security Council to deliver critical life- Programme Nelson has Chinook helicopter force remains at the forefront of saving Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance rapidly accelerated the the UK’s Defence Capability. services in support of two active operational theatres. exploitation of Artificial Mark Geoghegan, team leader of the Chinook The team overcame significant commercial Intelligence in the Royal Delivery Team, said: “It was a privilege for us difficulties and moved at tremendous pace to conduct Navy and in under a to receive such high recognition for the team’s contract negotiations in three months – six months year delivered three AI- sustained effort in delivering outstanding support ahead of schedule – whilst also delivering significant powered apps to Royal to the Chinook Force, in the UK and overseas – I savings. Fleet Auxiliary and Her am extremely proud of the boundless energy and Finally, the Future Submarines team, now Majesty’s Ships and were commitment they continue to demonstrate in all that within the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), were praised for being at the they do.” recognised for an exceptional year. forefront of innovation and Another winner for DE&S was the Special The team not only achieved ‘approval’ for the next operational change. Projects Search and Counter Measures (SPSCM) phase of the continuous at sea deterrent Dreadnought team, which sits under the Soldier, Training and Programme, but successfully negotiated risk The Carbonite-2 Special Programmes (STSP) umbrella. pricing and robust incentivisation – an unparalleled Operational Concept They were praised for their highly innovative achievement for a first of class submarine – into Demonstrator, a joint approach to delivering a new contingent bomb Design and Build Contracts. Dstl and RAF team, were disposal robot (the Harris T7) under Project This was in conjunction with standing up the new recognised for delivering Starter. The team’s absolute commitment, intelligent SDA, a fundamental shift in construct and behaviour, at pace the Carbonite-2 approach, masterful negotiation skills and sheer hard so establishing excellence in Defence Acquisition. small satellite platform work were also highlighted. Stuart Andrew MP said: “These winning teams on-orbit as a capability Lieutenant Colonel Thornton Daryl Hirst, Section exemplify the deep strengths and innovative demonstrator within eight Head of Remote Controlled Vehicles within DE&S’ thinking within our wider Defence acquisition months from concept to SPSCM team, said: “I was delighted that the team community – in capability development, delivery launch at a fraction of driving Project Starter has won this award. Their under contract, direct support to military operations, the typical cost of such hard work, dedication and determination is a source and the provision of infrastructure and science and ventures. of great pride and this recognition is thoroughly technology.” deserved.”
21 desider December 2018 DE&S People
Owen achieves his ultimate goal by swimming English Channel Pictured: Major Owen Larsen during his cross-channel swim (Picture submitted)
n Army major based at fruit and bananas) were passed France, after 15 hours 10 minutes MOD Abbey Wood has It was fascinating to to me by my support team via a and 37 miles of swimming, and achieved his “ultimate feeding stick and water bottle on a was greeted by a lovely passer-by Agoal” by swimming the English look up to see the three-metre string. called Frederic”, Owen said. Channel – one of the world’s huge ferries, cargo “Despite practicing this many “He warmly congratulated me busiest shipping lanes. ships and tankers times, the feeds became tricky on the swim, while in the distance Major Owen Larsen (pictured all in relatively close due to the waves and I seemed the safety boat sounded its horn bottom right), of the DE&S proximity to me; to swallow a lot of sea water. The and my wife and friends cheered. Artillery Systems team, spent two the scale of them is lack of nutrition started to have “On reflection, I feel very years training in swimming pools, an effect and my legs started to humble to have secured a place in simply awesome lakes and the sea building up cramp.” Channel Swimming history.” stamina for the epic challenge. Major Owen Larsen However, Owen overcame these In total, at the close of the 2018 And at 2.30am on September difficulties and continued to make swimming season, there have 30 Owen, slathered in Vaseline good progress. only been 1,568 successful solo and udder cream, set off from After 11 hours, the French English Channel swims under the the beach at Sapphire Hoe (just shoreline seemed just a few Channel Swimming Associations outside of Dover) to secure his hundred metres away, but the rules. place in Channel Swimming strong tides meant Owen spent To support Owen’s charities, history. the next three hours making little visit www.justgiving.com/teams/ His determination to complete was relieved to see the sun rise so headway. owenschannelswim the swim was buoyed by the fact that he felt less disorientated. “I essentially spent this he was raising money for the He said: “It was fascinating to time swimming parallel to the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow look up to see the huge ferries, shoreline within two miles of Disorder Charity Appeal, The cargo ships and tankers all in the French coast. Which was an Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal relatively close proximity to incredibly disorientating and Children’s Hospital and the Helen me; the scale of them is simply confusing experience”, Owen said. & Douglas House Children’s aw e s om e .” Luckily his support team – wife Hospice Appeal – three charities Conditions got tougher for Sarah, and good friends Major that provided incredible support Owen when the wind increased Christopher Postlethwaite and and care to the children of three of and made the sea choppy. Captain Ali Nicol – kept his spirits his close friends in recent years. He said: “My regular feeds high by passing him frequent Swimming alongside his safety (every 45 minutes, lasting a messages of encouragement. boat, Owen made good progress maximum of one minute and “I finally waded out of the in the darkness for four hours, but consisting of jelly cubes, tinned shallow water of Wissant Bay,
22 desider December 2018 DE&S People
60 second spotlight "I worked on one of the first airborne computers which had 4Kb of memory and was the size of a Samsonite suitcase"
Army but not until I was 53-years- old. Since then I have skied every Peter year twice a year and always with one new resort each year. Robinson It’s great fun, gets the adrenaline Job flowing and keeps you fit. Skiing has taken me to nine different Apache Mk1 Certification countries and I have made many Manager co-located with new friends. Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, Somerset What do you do when you’re away from work? Your route into DE&S? I am a passionate supporter and I joined the MOD as an avionics volunteer at my local football apprentice on September club. I hold a personal licence 3, 1968, at the Aircraft and and manage the bar at the club. I Armament Experimental spend many hours volunteering, Establishment at Boscombe which include applying my Down, meaning in September project management, IT and DIY 2018 I completed 50 years skills as well as cutting the pitch service with the MOD. I worked and driving the team bus to name on one of the first airborne but a few. computers which had 4Kb of memory and was the size of a What are you most proud of? Samsonite suitcase. Nowadays I have 256 million times as I am extremely proud to have had much memory in my mobile four short tours in Afghanistan phone. I flew hundreds of hours to deliver training to Apache and doing various flight trials in the Tornado aircrew and introduce Nimrod MR2 both in the South new capability, but the travel West approaches and the USA. was challenging to say the least. After 25 years, in 1993 I took I once drove to Brize on Boxing promotion to London before Day only to be bounced off the being relocated to Abbey Wood flight. I twice had overnight stays in 1996 and finally to Yeovil in in a tent in Kandahar with 11 2007. In February 2019 I will complete strangers because complete 21 years in the Apache aircraft unserviceability caused What is your favourite place in Delivery Team. delays. And one time I arrived in Theatre at 2am to find my bunk the world? Your claim to fame? occupied, with no front desk or reception to call! However, it was Old Town Scottsdale in Arizona, which is an old Western town I used to order a 3* General a fantastic life experience. blessed with a wonderful climate. around on a Saturday afternoon. The authentic Rusty Spur saloon As captain of my cricket team If you were sent to a desert with live country music and the General Sir Mark needed putting island, what three things Do you or Grapevine karaoke bar are great. in his place when fielding! I am would you take with you? someone you a keen cricketer and started What would surprise people playing men’s cricket at age 13. A karaoke player so I could sing know deserve about you? I represented Wiltshire U14s, along without annoying the their 60 seconds Wiltshire 50+, Wiltshire 60+ and neighbours. A plentiful supply of Merlot. I’d also take a clarinet I ran a half marathon dressed in the spotlight? now I am the youngster playing as Donald Duck for the very for Wiltshire 70s, who won the because I have always wanted to first Children in Need and Email league title in 2018. learn to play it since my school days. raised more than £500. I’ve also [email protected] held the Ryder Cup in unusual Your advice to anyone? surroundings – the back of a What irritates you the most? Globemaster aircraft at 30,000ft Take up skiing. I got the which was also carrying Ryder opportunity to learn with the Inconsiderate motorists! Cup captain Colin Montgomerie!
23 desider December 2018 Feature
Pictured: Exercise Trident Juncture saw 50,000 participants from 31 nations travel to Norway to take part in the largest collective NATO defence exercise since the Cold War (Pictures by Ed Low and Corporal Ben Beale)
24 desider December 2018 FFeatureeature DE&S plays key role in huge NATO defence exercise
"It was only through the collaborative working of all teams involved at DE&S and the front-line commands that we were able to ensure that this exercise was a resounding success" Colonel Ian Skipper, DE&S’ DSCOM Operations team
E&S teams have played a key role in the UK to Norway. success of a huge NATO training exercise This resulted in 32 military vehicles departing featuring 250 aircraft, around 50,000 from Folkestone on October 7 and arriving ahead of Dparticipants from 31 nations and 10,000 military schedule at Elverum, a NATO controlled Railhead vehicles. (pictured bottom left), having passed through France, UK personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. and Royal Air Force travelled across Europe by ferry, A further 5,300 tonnes of freight were despatched road and rail to take part in Exercise Trident Juncture by sea from Sea Mounting Centre in Southampton to in Norway – the largest collective NATO defence Fredrikstad, while more than 1,200 tonnes of freight exercise since the Cold War. deployed through arrangements with commercial They trained alongside their Danish and Polish freight transportation companies. counterparts in freezing conditions integrating In total, the DE&S effort also ensured that 586 their equipment, drills and personnel to become a personnel and an additional 20 tonnes of freight were multinational, 2,500-strong combat ready brigade transported by air. before ultimately defeating an acting enemy force of Elsewhere, the DE&S Contingent Operational Norwegian, German and Swedish forces. Stocks and Sustainability Assessment Cell (COSSAC) The triumph, during a week-long culmination of within the DE&S Land Domain used the exercise the exercise, vindicated the principle of collective to trial Standard Stock Modules (modules of stock defence that has been at the very heart of NATO for including items like rations, clothing, fuel and vehicle almost 70 years and proved that in an ever-changing spares) that are then used to assemble Priming world with emerging threats, together we are Equipment Packs that are delivered to a unit when it stronger. has been warned for operations. DE&S played a major part in the exercise with The intent was for troops deploying on the exercise staff from Defence Supply Chain Operations and to make no demands and instead all stock to equip Movements (DSCOM), Support Enablers Operating and sustain the force for the duration of the exercise Centre (SEOC), Land Equipment and Team Leidos was to be issued to them by DE&S and Team Leidos working with the front-line commands to ensure its before deployment. success. Major Tom Ritchie, COSSAC SO2 Ops, said: “Our Colonel Ian Skipper, of DE&S’ DSCOM Operations involvement in this exercise has been invaluable and team, said: “This was an incredibly complex operation has identified several valuable lessons that will inform and it was only through the collaborative working how Defence and DE&S will outload stock at pace in of all teams involved at DE&S and the front-line support of future contingency operations.” commands that we were able to ensure that this The deployment concluded with the Field Army exercise was a resounding success.” conducting a road movement of 360 vehicles and In July this year, after months of planning between 784 personnel some 1,816 kilometres across Europe. Team Leidos, DSCOM and HQ Field Army, Team This was supported by Team Leidos who delivered Leidos were commissioned to provide a commercial, materiel to four Convoy Support Centres in Germany, fully-serviced rail move of a representative Company Denmark and Sweden. Group of Army protected mobility vehicles from the
25 desider December 2018 DE&S People Innovation, wellbeing and sporting success at DE&S
An innovative approach qualification, he was in the to career progression has same position as the rest of the resulted in the Chinook outstanding CSC team, both fleet at RAF Odiham military and industry. benefitting from 13 more Mark approached the Incorporated Engineer (IEng) Institution of Engineering and professionally-accredited Technology (IET) and interested engineers. parties from around RAF In 2014, Boeing Defence Odiham took the opportunity to UK and DE&S formed the join the IET Group Registration Chinook Support Centre (CSC) Scheme. to provide engineering support Almost three years later, with and advice to the Chinook fleet. much-appreciated help from When Mark Goodger, a IET staff and volunteers and career Civil Servant with a lot of hard work, a total of 30 years’ experience of 13 DE&S team, RAF Odiham working in the military rotary Squadron and Boeing Defence wing environment, arrived in UK members have celebrated November 2015 as Officer getting IEng accreditation with Commanding he had to attain IET. professional accreditation to Mark said: “Not only does IEng status as part of DE&S’ this give us a great professional drive to assure professionalism. platform to work from, but the He quickly realised that, entire process has also been a as a career engineer but with huge ‘team-mentoring’ activity.” no supporting degree-level
Employees in the Air Support Multi Mission Aircraft programme area have been taking part in a wellbeing initiative to promote physical and mental wellbeing. Members of the DE&S workforce tournament's ‘Most Valuable Player’ Members of the P-8A and the Fixed Wing Manned helped a MOD team secure the Matthew Ward and a game-changing Airborne Surveillance delivery teams have been taking Civil Service Sports Club basketball shot from Amelia Leslie then saw DSRA part in an organised 30-minute weekly walk around tournament trophy. 1 through to the final against reigning MOD Abbey Wood. The team, named DSRA 1 after champions Newcastle. The walks are aimed at getting people up and the Defence Sports and Recreation DSRA 1 stepped up to the occasion moving more regularly, to get light exercise and Association, was one of nine teams with Gary Richards launching a series refresh the mind. It is hoped the initiative will help that travelled to Cardiff hoping to make of strong drives to the basket, Stephen address the impact of the office environment, whilst their sporting dream a reality. Porteous landing shot after shot from improving team cohesion by facilitating conversations Over a gruelling two-day competition 3-point territory and Ginny Gallen between different people. consisting of 10 games, DSRA 1 came delivering the game-sealing shot which Oli Shearn, P-8A Team wellbeing champion, out on top. Despite losing two of the secured a 27-17 victory. said: “DE&S has a key role to play in proactively first three matches, they went on to win DSRA 2 also put in some encouraging healthy habits to the benefit of five straight, qualifying for the semi- strong performances against more individuals and the organisation. Simple initiatives finals. experienced opposition but were such as the weekly walk can make a difference in The athleticism and tenacity of the unable to make the knockout stages. supporting these habits.”
26 desider December 2018 DE&S People
the MOD Lottery August Devonport Deeds MOTTO winners
£10,000 Thomas Pratt, Andover of Apprenticeship £2,500 Gary Clarke, Marham DE&S Devonport Apprentices They will now go on to work within have attended their Annual Deeds the engineering function with teams at £1,000 Stephen Lancaster, Salisbury and Awards Ceremony. DE&S or within the Submarine Delivery £500 Angela Sullivan, Pewsey The ceremony recognised the Agency. £250 Louise Davies, ABW continued success of the Devonport The ceremony culminated in £100 Wendy Hayes, Hereford Scheme with a record number of the award of two special awards apprentices being awarded their this year, with Phoebe Loveridge Stephen Bonner, Faslane Deeds of Apprenticeship this year. receiving an award for Devonport’s Anthony Simpson, TBC Commodore Peter Coulson, who Apprentice of the Year nomination Jessica Hopkinson, Exeter awarded the Deeds to the new intake, and Daniel Renshaw for his academic said: “We all look forward to working achievements. Richard Burdess, Plymouth with them over the next three years to Dr Matt Darkin, representing Paul Wright, Shefford develop their full potential.” DE&S Ships, said: “The ceremony Christina Mapp, London As well as new-starters, the showcased the variety of opportunities ceremony celebrates DE&S available to the new intake, as well as Ernest Knox, TBC apprentices coming to the end of the opportunities available beyond the Angela Witham, Tidworth the programme with Dr Jonathan apprenticeship within Abbey Wood Helen Tandy-Rackham, Winchester Cook, Head of the DE&S Engineering Ships and DE&S.” Function. Robert Parkhouse, ABW Lynne McGreary, Peterborough Patrick Wattam, Lincoln Fiona Sheridan, Lisburn Lindy Godfrey, Catterick Sharon Rhodes, Brandon Luke Somerville, ABW Errol McCammon, Huntingdon Kevin Raeburn, ABW Tracey Southall, Blandford
Last month's missing word was: Teamwork
E J P X D A O K L L Y D W M H J F L T V U D K N O R L U D T A A L T Z C Word Search N U I M Z O X G A T F R E I L L Y D Arizona Dockyard Programme E C K T N Z E W B P I I V F I E R P Award Engineer Safety L X E I A I Q U T N A O N L A A S R Basketball Finance Talent Bodyguard Harris Training A C H O M R O S E E E R K A U S W O Chinook Lightning Wales T C R Z T A O S K Y G Q A G N E E G Collaborative Marines Wellbeing D E F E N C E B S C U N Y C L C N R Defence Parachute Yeovil
R E E N I G N E A N X D I L H W E A Find which word or name is missing from this S I R R A H H W B L O N B N P U P M wordsearch. L I G H T N I N G B L E L F I F T M Note - they may appear vertically, A W A R D W X R W F I O E E Q A F E horizontally, diagonally, forward or backward. E J Q O I G D E S N A H C F A V R A
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of the three years. During the apprenticeship, there are many opportunities to attend courses, go away on trips and experience work placements – this allowed me to go to Defence Munitions Beith in Scotland, Study which was an amazing experience. Jacob Parsons, Engineer within What do you most enjoy about your job? the Defence Ordnance Safety I enjoy the chance to work in a team while developing academic and engineering skills at college. It is a great Group, gives his insight into some way to start working and all the project teams are welcoming to apprentices. We also have the chance to of the benefits of working for the go on trials, and work with kit that most people have never even heard of! organisation What’s your ambition? I recently finished my apprenticeship and have started Name in an engineering role at MOD Abbey Wood within Jacob Parsons the Defence Ordnance Safety Group. I am interested in completing courses that are available and relevant Job title to my new role. I am also keen to continue studying Engineer within the Defence Ordnance Safety Group and am going to try and apply to top up my HNC (following DE&S Engineering Apprenticeship) into a degree.
How long have you worked for DE&S? What’s your greatest achievement to date? Nearly three years Finishing the apprenticeship has been my greatest achievement. Having completed three years of study Why did you choose to pursue a career in DE&S? and four work placements where I built and gained I basically joined the advanced engineering experience, I have now got an engineering role. management apprenticeship by accident! I had Completing the apprenticeship has given me skills planned to go to my local sixth form, but applied and qualifications while also being a very rewarding for the apprenticeship to get some experience with experience. interviews etc. However, I made it through and was offered a job. I’m so glad that I accepted the offer Why would you recommend DE&S to others as a and joined DE&S. The apprenticeship has allowed great place to work? me to gain a Higher National Certificate (HNC), There is a good amount of opportunities for National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other development, and a range of different places/teams to qualifications, whilst also gaining experience with work with, so there is something for everyone. different project teams at DE&S. What are the social benefits of working for DE&S? What does your role entail? Working for DE&S means that you can join the As an apprentice, you spend the first year at college Civil Service Sports Club which gives you savings studying full time. After this you have four six- on shopping, sports and leisure. As an apprentice, month placements in different project teams gaining you also get the chance to go on the Tom Nevard experience. During these four placements, you also competition. This is a DE&S wide apprentice study part time gaining the HNC and level 3 NVQ. competition – on a team and individual level – where apprentices come from Abbey Wood, DM sites across What are the opportunities to develop and the UK and other MOD establishments. The year I progress within your function? went we had to build a remote-control bomb disposal The apprenticeship itself is a fantastic way to develop robot! It’s a great week to meet other apprentices and and progress into an engineering role on completion have some fun.
28 WORK FOR For more infoandjobopportunities visit: www.des.mod.uk 29 DE&S
Picture: Jack Eckersley desider December 2018 Recruitment
Here are six great reasons to work for DE&S
Bonuses & Pension Flexible Recognition Our Alpha pension is Working conservatively valued at 21% Annual bonus and one- of your salary. Most private Balancing work and life, off payments based on companies only offer 6-12% various working patterns performance for going above and beyond
Professional Holiday Facilities Development 25 days rising to 30 days after We provide a modern, 5 years safe and convenient work Choose a career path that’s environment right for you
For even more reasons see our 'Little Book of Big Benefits' at www.des.mod.uk
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Future Vacancies SDA Service Delivery Manager SDA HMNB Clyde £19,000 - £28,000pa Senior Administrator/Specialist Estimated timeline: 10 December 2018 - 2 January 2019 Post type Permanent Job Description: As one of our Service Delivery Managers, you will deliver an In Service Support or Logistics execution activity of limited complexity, you will monitor forecast and report the costs of service delivery to the customer and maintain the highest of service level. You will be working within the Submarine Delivery Agency and have the opportunities to learn and progress.
Business Support Administrator DE&S Bristol £17,000 - £19,000pa Administrator/Specialist Estimated timeline: 18 January 2019 - 3 February 2019 Post type Permanent Job Description: As one of our Business Support Administrators, you will provide pivotal administrative support to the Corporate Services Function on a day-to-day basis. You will be regularly interacting with stakeholders at all levels across the business, commonly providing support and information for those within your defined area. You will be mostly responsible for your own work, with the ability to develop and learn whilst in post.
IT Administrator DE&S and SDA Bristol & Warminster £17,000 - £23,000pa Administrator/Specialist Estimated timeline: 18 January 2019 - 3 February 2019 Post type Permanent Job Description: We will be recruiting a number of IT Administrators to provide accurate and timely administrative support to various areas of DE&S. You will regularly interact with and support colleagues within their specialist areas, in addition to engaging with internal IT and IS users. Successful candidates will manage information storage, as well as receive and action requests from the Business. These posts enable DE&S to become a more digital business whilst giving ambitious and motivated candidates an opportunity to start an exciting career.
WORK FOR DE&S For more info and job opportunities visit: www.des.mod.uk
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