Charlotte Hanson | Service Delivery Manager | BAE Systems
Charlotte is an APM PMQ qualified Project Manager who has for the last 4 years been working as a Service Delivery Manager in Maritime Services.
This role involves managing multiple fleetwide equipment contracts delivering both routine and urgent, spares and repairs for the Royal Navy. Alongside this role, Charlotte is the Maritime and Land Sector Representative for the Employee Resource Group, the Gender Equity Network (GEN). This group ensures employees have equal access to tools and opportunities regardless of gender. Through her role in GEN and her personal enduring experience with endometriosis and adenomyosis, she identified a need for additional workplace support and advocacy in this area and created the Reproductive Health and Fertility Group. She has chaired this group since its inception in 2024, running monthly sessions for hundreds of engaged attendees, inviting both internal and external speakers to share their personal lived experiences with reproductive health and fertility. She has created a safe and inclusive space to educate, inform and advocate for the needs of her colleagues. Charlotte is engaged in ongoing policy discussions within the business to improve workplace support, taking steps to close the gender health gap and support women to thrive professionally. In the near future, she is looking to explore a new role in Employee Experience, marrying her core project management skills with her unwavering drive to improve the workplace for her colleagues both current and future.
Emma-Louise Elgar | Managing Consultant | Frazer-Nash Consultancy Ltd
Born in Chatham in 1988, I grew up and was educated in Whitby, North Yorkshire. I joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service in 2010, training at Britannia Royal Naval College and Fleetwood Nautical College.
After a three-year cadetship, I was appointed to RFA CARDIGAN BAY as a Third Officer for Operation KIPION. I gained experience across various ship classes as an Officer of the Watch, Point Defence Officer, and Navigator’s assistant. In 2016, I became Navigator on RFA WAVE KNIGHT, conducting Atlantic Patrol Tasking North. I earned my Chief Mates Unlimited Certificate in October 2016. In 2018, I joined the new tanker project as Navigator and Operations Officer of RFA TIDEFORCE, delivering the ship from South Korea to the UK. I later served on RFA TIDERACE and RFA TIDEFORCE, conducting Operational Sea Training and other missions. I earned my Master’s Unlimited Certificate in 2019. In early 2020, while pregnant with my first child, I worked in Navy Command Headquarters on special projects. After a brief maternity leave, I returned to complete my work. In mid-2022, while pregnant with my second child, I returned to Navy Command Headquarters as SO1 Force Generation and Future Capability Manager. After another short maternity leave, I continued in this role until my resignation in May 2024. I currently work as a managing consultant for Frazer-Nash Consultancy and remaining in Defence I lead the Outreach Team on a Navy Digital Portfolio Office Contract I enjoy hill walking, outdoor pursuits with my family, and exploring new cultures.
Hannah Riekemann-Wood | Defence Maritime Consultant | Frazer-Nash Consultancy
All the World’s a Stage and all the men and women merely players” as it takes a team to get the show on the road.
A former drama student, I changed one stage for another, starting my maritime journey in 2014 and cadetship in 2015 before qualifying in 2018 and serving on ships deployed on global operations in support of counter narcotics, counter piracy and humanitarian assistance disaster relief. Actively striving to shape my career beyond my core role, I volunteered on the steamship SS Shieldhall as a deck officer enhancing skillsets. It was the birth of my son that started me on my path of advocacy, fighting for the rights of parents, and women in particular, in the maritime defence sector. I gained my Chief Mates Unlimited qualification 3 months to the day after giving birth: a significant achievement.
There is a huge gulf between what we expect as a modern society and the policies in force and the people who stick rigidly to the status quo. Defence is better when we support our people, striving to retain those passionate about their careers wanting to balance those with family life. I now work on projects pan-Navy, developing the next strategic policies and capabilities, continuing to advocate for parents in maritime and raise awareness of areas where we are lack.
My journey is a testament to resilience, determination and never giving up despite resistance. I am proud of the incredible individuals who try to shape Defence for the better and hope my son will be proud of his Mommy for what I’m doing.
Jessica Manson | Assistant Director | Joint Maritime Security Centre
I began my career as a Deck Officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), serving for 13 years across the globe in support of UK defence.
Throughout my time in the RFA, I actively shaped my own career, seeking out opportunities beyond my core role to broaden my experience and make a meaningful impact. After a four-month deployment at sea, I took on a secondment with Border Force, conducting migrant rescue operations in the Aegean. It was both harrowing and rewarding, reinforcing my commitment to maritime security and humanitarian efforts. Later, I was seconded to the Royal Navy, first working in maritime enterprise engagement before securing a highly sought-after role in outreach and engagement within the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre—positions I proactively pursued to develop my expertise. However, balancing my career with family life became unsustainable, leaving me with no real choice but to resign. Refusing to let circumstances define me, I backed myself, applied for a role with greater responsibility and a significantly higher salary—and secured it. I am now an Assistant Director in the UK’s Joint Maritime Security Centre, where I feel more valued than ever. My journey is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the power of forging my own path. I am incredibly proud of how far I have come, and I hope my children will be proud of their Mum too.
Alexia Williams | Through Life Technical Lead | Rolls-Royce Plc
Alexia is a Through Life Technical Lead at Rolls-Royce, where her career has spanned the entire Defence Portfolio.
Starting as an Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice, she progressed to a Master's Degree Apprenticeship in Through-Life System Sustainment, driving innovation in the maintenance and availability of long-life assets. Her projects include reducing turnaround times for military engine repairs and using data analytics to enhance Navy asset availability. Beyond her technical role, Alexia is a Non-Executive Director at EAL and a Trustee on the Board of Enginuity, supporting education and skills development in engineering. Passionate about promoting STEM careers and apprenticeships, she has contributed over 200 hours in the past year to outreach activities. She also serves as Chair of the IfATE Apprentice Panel, an Apprentice Representative for the UCAS Apprenticeship Stakeholder Group, and a member of the IET Young Professionals Committee and IMechE Bath and Bristol Young Members Panel. Alexia's dedication and leadership have earned her multiple awards as an apprentice and engineer. Rising from Apprentice to Technical Lead in under six years, she exemplifies the values of trust, integrity, and safety. Through her work and advocacy, Alexia is not only driving engineering excellence but also inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM.
Julia Barr | Commercial Manager, Nuclear - Defence & Civil | Mott MacDonald
Having studied Law at university, I spent 4.5 years in legal publishing at a small Oxford firm before moving to London to take on a PA/editorial role at Westminster Abbey.
I moved up to Scotland and found a role as an executive assistant at a private school; unfortunately, some restructuring and reduced hours meant that role was no longer tenable and I was lucky to find a role as a programme office coordinator with Mott MacDonald. I have been with Mott MacDonald ever since: I went from the programme office of a £1.6B defence infrastructure programme to working on one of its projects. A few months in, I was promoted to Assistant Project Manager, looking after multiple workstreams and coordinating on-site working, which had to move from 9/5 to 24/7 to keep workers safe during the Covid pandemic. A mentoring opportunity led to the offer of a commercial management role, which I thought I’d be terrible at but in fact really suited me. I have since progressed to offering our project teams management and support on contracts, governance, dispute resolution, finances and audit, as well as taking on a compliance manager role on a confidential project. As a mum of three children who works full time and whose partner works away from home in the Forces, I am passionate about promoting and realising the employment potential in the military community. I am the Families Lead on Mott MacDonald’s Armed Forces Steering Group, representing military family employees’ views to senior management.
Kim Wyche | Cryptologic Technician | Royal Navy
I was born in Dundee and following time in sea cadets at school, enlisted as soon as I could following my exams.
Now just passing the 26-year mark, I can honestly say it has been the best decision I ever made, and I have not looked back !. I am currently the Senior Warrant Officer of the Cryptologic Technician Warfare specialisation, where I make key decisions and am the project lead for all changes to personnel, capability, and doctrine across the community. I have served in various RN platforms over the years, including HMS Cornwall, HMS Campbeltown, and HMS Lancaster; as well as having completed multiple Joint deployments to Cyprus and the Falkland Islands. Additionally, I have supported various Operations in the Mediterranean with NATO and spent many months in the Gulf regions during the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns.
Lisa Rawlings | Senior Talent Acquisition | Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK
Lisa Rawlings is a dedicated and accomplished professional with over 25 years of leadership experience spanning military and civilian sectors.
Currently serving as Senior Talent Acquisition at SNC MS UK, Lisa drives strategic recruitment initiatives within the defence sector, including the development of a Military Pathway Programme that enhances diversity and retention by supporting veterans’ transitions to civilian careers. Lisa is the Chair of the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committee (Wales), where she advocates for veterans’ rights, influencing policy changes and improving access to services. She is also the Co-founder of the Female Veterans Alliance, a pioneering network providing support, mentorship, and community for women transitioning from military to civilian life. Additionally, she has co-founded three Veterans Support Hubs, offering essential services for veterans and their families, addressing issues such as mental health, isolation, and employment. Lisa’s academic achievements include a Master of Science in Global Governance and ongoing studies for a second master’s in Human Resource Management, showcasing her commitment to continuous professional development. Recognised with several honours, including Role Model of the Year at the Welsh Veteran Awards, Lisa’s work is a testament to her passion for making a positive impact on individuals and communities.
Rachyel Ainsworth | Unit Catering Manager | HM FORCES - British Army
I am currently serving at 14 Signal Regiment as the Unit Catering Manager, I have served as a chef in the Army for 18 years and served in a host of testing and arduous environments.
Postings to Germany and Cyprus alongside operational deployments to Kuwait and Afghanistan have provided me with a wide variety of experience where I have honed the ability to provide nutritious, tasty food wherever it is required to multi – international personnel. I have recently taken on the role of the British Army Culinary Arts Team Manager. The role gives me an opportunity to coach, mentor and teach junior chefs within the Army to enhance their catering abilities and skills. As well as military life and culinary competitions, I have a fabulous supportive family, my Partner Sian and twins Phoebe and Theo. Without their support I wouldn’t be able to do what I really enjoy doing best.
Ruth Guest | Lecturer in General Practice | Royal Navy
Having gone to medical school at the University of East Anglia I joined the Royal Navy as a junior doctor based in Plymouth before officer training at Dartmouth.
Deploying as the doctor on HMS RICHMOND I enjoyed combining medicine and adventure. During training to become a GP I had my two children and undertook some research around postnatal depression amongst servicewomen which led to Defence wide policy change including the introduction of self referral into mental health services for pregnant and postnatal servicewomen in the UK. Alongside my first job as a military GP I followed my interest around women’s health and medical education gathering further qualifications in these areas, training junior military doctors and running women’s health clinics before moving to be a lecturer in general practice. A career highlight this current job involves research and education and has enabled me to follow my passion of combining these to benefit women in Defence. An MSc in Health Research Methods and a PG Diploma in Community Gynaecology has allowed for research around female hygiene in austere environments, international collaborations, access to abortions in the UK Armed Forces and provision of bespoke women’s health clinics as well as training our future medical professionals, leaders and anyone else who will listen around women’s health.