A former Royal Navy Education & Training Specialist and Reservist Instructor; now the Royal Navy element of the Armed Forces Diversity Engagement Team.
Her career spans 3 decades and has seen her work with the Royal Marines, Fleet Air Arm, British Army, Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence both in the UK, abroad in Norway, Gibraltar and onboard HMS ROEBUCK and SOMERSET. Her current role is to engage with communities and individuals who don’t traditionally engage with the Armed Forces in a bid to raise awareness about what the Armed Forces do, how they do it and how they contribute to society, alongside myth busting about women’s roles in the modern military.
She has a passion for sport underpinned by being a former footballer (Royal Navy and Plymouth Argyle) and hockey player, she is a huge advocate for more diverse participation in all sports and regularly mentors younger members of the hockey family on team ethos, respect in success and bouncing back from defeat.
Ann is a compulsive networker who likes to experience new cultures, travel and promote others talents and potential through collaboration and education. She is also a Trustee for the educational charity Diversity Role Models, a charity that creates more inclusive environments in schools across the UK.
She is also the owner of Purple Tie Promotions, a business that provides opportunities for inspirational women to share their unique approach of balancing life in the British Armed Forces alongside their personal challenges, passions and ambitions. Her interest spans the generations and she is currently collecting Oral Histories from women who have served in the Armed Forces over many decades – she is also an Ambassador for the Association of Wrens and WRNS Benevolent Trust and was instrumental in contributing to the rewrite of the constitution to include Royal Navy women; which has ensured the longevity of the association and generated many friendships and projects across the generations.