Joanne Ellett | British Army
Jo was brought up and educated in East London and whilst growing up she thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Army Cadet Force.
From a young age, Jo was set on a career in the British Army and that began aged 16 when she attended Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College as a 2008 entrant.
Following her A levels, Jo went on to study a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Design Engineering at Aston University, Birmingham. On completion of her degree she attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to complete the Regular Commissioning Course and in August 2014 commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers.
Jo’s career so far has seen her in several roles in the Army including command of soldiers at Troop level, project manager for a construction site in Kenya, planning and delivery of training, control of community engagement, influence and social media for a Regiment and Battlegroup Engineer to the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, which included a deployment to South Korea.
Jo is also a keen athlete and has always seized the opportunity during her career, taking part in rock climbing, white water rafting, hill-walking, off-shore sailing, mountain biking, paddle boarding, athletics, football, rugby and bobsleigh. Bobsleigh is Jo’s primary winter sport, travelling to Germany, Austria and Norway to compete as a pilot within the Army Bobsleigh Team.
Currently Jo is the Team Leader of the Army Youth Outreach Team (AYOT). This isn’t her first exposure to engagement as she was the face of ‘The Voice’ British Army Recruiting Campaign video 2018 which was aired nationally. The AYOT is a nationwide asset which engages with the youth of Great Britain to inform them of what their Army is up to using personal experiences and to generate a better understanding of the Army within society.
Ann Miller-McCaffrey | Royal Navy
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.
Shevonne Bramley | Royal Air Force
Born to parents from the Windrush generation, I grew up in South London.
Wanting a job with a bit of excitement after working in pensions, I joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1990 as a Weapons Technician. After completing a years training, I was posted to RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, I’d never been that far North before. During my 28 years in the Royal Air Force as a highly qualified engineer, I’ve worked on complex weapon systems and safety equipment for all manner of Aircraft, managed personal weapon armouries and explosive storage areas.
I have also worked on the Tornado F3 Aircraft, the Tornado GR1, and the Harrier GR7/GR9. I am one of only a few female qualified RAF Bomb Disposal Operators for conventional munitions, often tasked to disarm live bombs and munitions to ensure the public is kept safe. I have deployed on operational tours in support of peacekeeping missions, often managing teams in complex situations during long hours, under the pressures of being away from home. I have deployed several times in my career, and have been fortunate to travel to all over the world from the USA, Canada, Germany, Cyprus, Belgium, Italy, Iraq, Oman and Sardinia to name but a few, a lot further than Yorkshire!
I have gained many qualifications over the years and was finally able to complete my degree in 2014, whist juggling work, home life and my two children. 2015 provided the opportunity for me to enter the world of recruiting and share my experiences with those considering employment in the RAF and engage with lots of young people.
I’ve come a long way from the council flat I grew up in and now what I want to do is help people, especially women, to be the best that they can be. Helping others and the next generation, is something I’m really passionate about. Travelling around the world, meeting new people and exploring new cultures is the best part of my job. It has afforded me many new experiences, Sailing, rowing, knee boarding, cycling in the Scottish hills, horse riding in Italy, Bob-sleighing in Lillehammer and swimming with dolphins in Oman. Now I enjoy giving back to society by encouraging young people to be the best that they can be by exploring new ideas and experiences and pushing themselves to try something different.
Hazelle Garton | Royal Navy
Hazelle Garton joined the Royal Navy as an Air Engineer Officer (AEO) in 2008 having completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough University.
Following training she took up post as Assistant and then Deputy AEO on 702 Naval Air Squadron where she supported ab-initio aircrew and engineering training for the maritime Lynx helicopter, that deploys on to the Royal Navy frigates and destroyers worldwide. A key highlight was her role as the engineering lead for a deployment in Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay – a ship without a hangar where aircraft maintenance took place on the flight deck This was impressively during the depths of winter in extremely challenging weather conditions!
From 702 she moved to the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School as the Staff Officer. In addition to supporting the executive functions of the School, Hazelle was heavily involved in the mentoring of students and examination of those passing through on courses; this included their personal and professional development a responsibility that she relished. She was also a key member of the organisation team for the biennial AEOs’ Conference which delivers professional development and networking opportunities to circa 350 AEOs across the Royal Navy.
Assigned to the helicopter landing platform, HMS Ocean in 2015, Hazelle was responsible for the safe execution of the embarkation of a dozen aircraft, stores and personnel from across the Armed Forces to enable a 4-month deployment in support of NATO exercises. Added to this, she oversaw the embarkation of 3 US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft to the Ship for a 2-week period of operations, the interoperability of which was a first for the Royal Navy. On leaving Ocean in 2016 Hazelle was privileged to be a member of the inaugural Ship’s Company of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, in direct charge of a section of 36 Air Engineer Technicians, where her experience was used to help develop the processes and procedures to be used once the Ship sailed on completion of her build programme.
Selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander she took up her current post in the Merlin Delivery Team as a Technical Through Life Support Manager in 2017 and is now responsible for ensuring that all projects introducing capability to the thirty £39m maritime helicopters have a fully developed support solution before entering service, including the necessary spares, tooling, training and technical information.
An unashamed cricket lover, Hazelle retired from playing for her county side Devon last season, placing in the top-10 of all-time wicket takers in the Women’s County Championship; she continues to captain the Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces ladies’ teams. Also a keen golfer, she represents both the Royal Navy and her local club, playing off a handicap of 10.
Hazelle will marry her long-term partner Laura (also a Naval engineer) in December and looks forward to the prospect of the pitter-patter of 4 tiny paws arriving in the house in due course.
Faith Jayne | Raytheon Systems Limited
Faith Jayne is Legal Counsel for Raytheon UK and Raytheon ELCAN. Faith was promoted to Legal Counsel – Manager in June 2017.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defence, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Faith joined Raytheon in 2015 as Legal Counsel. Supporting the Director of Legal Affairs, Faith provides business counsel on a range of matters from disputes to contract negotiations to compliance. Specific areas of interest include representing Raytheon UK in the Global Privacy Working Group and working to develop and raise awareness of intellectual property process and procedure. Following a recent promotion, Faith has assumed operational responsibility for the running of the team, and supports her colleagues leading Global Trade, Ethics and Data Privacy to deliver compliance excellence.
Before joining Raytheon, Faith was an Associate with DLA Piper LLP in the Technology and Outsourcing team. Faith joined DLA in January 2014 and whilst at DLA undertook a 4 month placement to Raytheon from June 2015 – October 2015 acting as Legal Counsel.
Prior to working with DLA Piper, Faith qualified as a English law solicitor into the Commercial team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP where Faith worked from September 2010 to December 2013. Faith undertook her training contract with Lupton Fawcett LLP in Leeds between 2008 and 2010 with seats in Employment, Litigation, Intellectual Property and Corporate.
Faith has been recognized within Raytheon for her leadership in mentoring having been awarded both a Highly Commended Award in the 2017 Mike Quinn Mentoring Awards and a 2017 RMS Mentoring Excellence Award. Faith was appointed Chair of the UK’s Raytheon Women’s Network in 2016 and served as the VP for RWN Global, International.
Faith holds a postgraduate diploma in legal practice from the College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Manchester.
Georgina Brown | Ministry of Defence
Georgina has a strong digital delivery background.
She has varied experience, including business analysis, project management and software development and design. She is an experienced manager and team leader and takes pride in being inclusive and seeing the people she mentors spread their wings and be valued.
Her infectious enthusiasm and passion for innovation comes from truly wanting the best for the organisation she works for as well as her team.
She has worked for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for over a year as the Digital Capability Lead where she is responsible for working across Defence to implement the Digital, Data and Technology profession. This requires her to build networks and connections across Government to make sure best practice is established. It also requires her to support employees with their learning and development and career choices by developing new training opportunities, including working with the Defence Academy and GDS Academy, and the BCS in developing digital skills within Defence. She is responsible for mentoring several employees herself as well as acting as a conduit to other Government departments for external mentoring. As part of this she has been responsible for bringing in new ways of learning, using on-demand training resources, and communities of practice, all for the first time in Defence.
In addition to her role in the MoD she is the Senior Delivery Manager for establishing a new way of working within Defence called the UK Defence Digital Service (UK DDS). This is the first tri-service and Civil Service collaboration for digital services. The first service she is leading will aim to improve efficiencies in medical decision making in combat and requires her to mentor and lead a technical team to be able to deliver. She works closely with senior leaders to support their engagement with these new ways of working, acting as a coach.
Before working for the MoD she worked for Innovate UK as the Programme Delivery Manager for the Innovation Funding Service (IFS). This has become the major funding route for Government funded research.
During her time with the research councils she was a Senior Project Manager for large scale change initiatives and the Senior Digital Services Manager for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council where she concentrated on large scale corporate IT implementations.
In the more distant past she has gained skills and knowledge as a software developer and designer.
Victoria Cope | BAE Systems
Victoria is an experienced leader, with a multidisciplinary background and track record of achievement.
Focussed on strategic commercial leadership and effective relationship management to deliver tangible results for businesses and individuals alike.
Victoria has over 15 years’ experience in the Aerospace and Defence sector and has worked within corporate procurement, finance, sales, commercial and engineering functions within FTSE100/250 organisations including BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Airbus and Unilever.
Victoria is passionate about sustainable development, in particular she actively supports the next generation of young people into sustainable careers in the Aerospace & Defence sector, through her roles with the Air League & Movement to Work charities.
Victoria is a chartered Aeronautical Engineer by background and holds an executive MBA from Henley Business School. Victoria is a Non-Executive Council Member of The Air League, Trustee of the Inspiring Leadership Trust and was awarded the Marshall of Cambridge Medal in 2012 for contribution to the industry.
Rachel Beattie | Careaux
My name is Rachel Beattie, I am twenty-three years old and I am co-founder of luxury ethical womenswear brand, Careaux with my sister and best friend, Laura.
From an idea when I was fourteen combining my love of fashion and Maths we have created a world first dress.
Careaux creates timeless, classic dresses that change to fit each and every woman. The Careaux dress has a hidden zip around the waist which allows the dress to completely separate into a top and a skirt and then be reattached. This enables the dress to have a different size top to bottom or the same size throughout. Not only that, the tops and skirts can also be interchanged to create different styles, colour and fabric combinations. All handmade locally in Manchester.
I was studying for my GCSEs and my two favourite subjects were Maths and Art. I have always loved clothes and for my Art project I decided to create a dress with my Nana who had been a dressmaker since she was fourteen as well. She spoke so passionately about the importance of quality, fit and tailoring each outfit to the individual, I fell completely in love with the dressmaking process from start to finish. Alongside this I used to borrow Laura's clothes, but as we were very different shapes, it never used to fit, it was either too big on top or small on the bottom or sleeves were too short or skirt was too long. This brought to the forefront of my mind, how each and every one of us were different - our own, shape, style, personality and lifestyle but clothes had not changed and do not accommodate this fact. One night ten years ago I had the 'lightbulb' moment for Careaux, as soon as this happened I told Laura and it has been our sole dream and focus to make the Careaux dress come true.
However, we did not know anyone who had ran a business and we had not run a business before, therefore we started researching and learning as much as we could. I carried on with my GCSEs, A-Levels and I then went on to study Maths at The University of Manchester. During my time at University I worked for a charity called The Tutor Trust as a primary school tutor to tackle educational inequality and also completed an actuarial internship at a big 4 firm. In my third year at University, I studied abroad in North Carolina and this gave me a chance to delve deeper into the Maths behind Careaux looking at Combinatorics (the number of different ways you can combine different things) for e.g. number of tops and skirts to make Careaux dresses. When I returned from study abroad after years of searching we found our first dressmaker in 2016 and developed the dress for the next two years whilst I was apart of the Natwest Entrepreneurial Spark accelerator programme in my final year of University.
I graduated with a first class Masters of Maths in 2017, soft launched Careaux late 2017 to test the idea and we then launched our bespoke services in July 2018. As well as being on an actuarial graduate scheme at a big 4. In the last 6 months, we've been lucky enough to create pieces for Royal Investitures and I have won the Barclaycard Everywoman in Retail Innovator Award, The EVAs Young Entrepreneur One To Watch and have been named on the Northern Power Woman Future List 2019. We have just launched our kickstarter campaign to pre-order the debut core collection and will be launching the e-commerce site this year proudly supported by The Princes Trust. I am also a Code First Girls, STEM and Pankhurst Centre Centenary City Ambassador.
Laura Beattie | Careaux
I am the co-founder, alongside my sister Rachel, of luxury, ethical womenswear brand Careaux based in Manchester.
Careaux create timeless, classic dresses that change to fit each woman's unique shape, style, size and lifestyle. The Careaux dress has a hidden zip around the waist which allows the dress to completely separate into a top and a skirt and then be reattached. This enables the dress to have a different size top to bottom or the same size throughout. Not only that, the tops and skirts can also be interchanged to create different styles, colour and fabric combinations. All handmade locally in Manchester.
However I do not come from a business or fashion background. I went to an all-girls school where I failed all but one of my A Levels. I then completed a Foundation Year at Manchester Metropolitan University, followed by a History degree achieving a 2:1. I then went on to study for a Graduate Diploma in Law. After University I worked as a volunteer for the Citizens Advice Bureau and then as a tutor for the educational charity The Tutor Trust, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Rachel had the idea for Careaux when she was fourteen and as soon as she told me I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do and, even though I have loved doing what I have done throughout the years, knowing this has stayed with me and is still what I feel today.
I have Cystic Fibrosis and I am currently on the double lung transplant list. I am passionate about raising awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and Organ Donation. I was a part of the national NHS campaign during Organ Donation week last year. With Careaux we have also created two dresses for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust highlighting the amount of medication people with Cystic Fibrosis take and also highlight the issue of recycling plastic - with each dress having sequins made out of recycled plastic and laser cut medicine bottles as well as ethically sourced fabric and recycled plastic fabric.
Danni Sears | News UK
Following a Drama degree at Birmingham University, I did work experience at the BBC and Two four productions, before joining a brand new local radio station in Exeter.
There was no rule book so I had free reign to get involved in music scheduling, reporting, events and promotional activity. What I found most fulfilling was seeing how important we became to the local community, everything from opening school fetes to turning on the Xmas lights and doing numerous fun runs for charity.
I then moved to London and worked at GMG Radio on Smooth with radio legends like Simon Bates and Mark Goodier; before moving across to Bauer where I moved into commercial programming and was responsible for being the key link between editorial and Sales; this involved working on Magic, Absolute and Kiss answering client briefs, writing scripts, storyboards, directing videos, working with talent and editing. I also taught myself how to produce trailers at the weekend, so that I was capable of doing the whole end to end process- from answering a brief to having a video live or a radio trail on the air.
I then wanted to broaden out and step out of my comfort zone into the world of magazines; proactively I spent time with Art Directors, writers and Shoot directors to learn their crafts in addition to my day job. The hard work paid off and I ended up being promoted to manage a team of cross media producers who worked on large scale multi-platform partnerships. After 5 years at Bauer I then moved to News Uk, where I started by running a Project management team before a promotion to head up a team of Commercial editors, a role which taps into my broad creative background – at a time when my company is diversifying in platforms.