Kate commissioned into the Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (REME) in 2005. She has had a varied Army career, having worked in Land System and Aviation Engineering, and the training environment.

Her Land System Engineering experience has seen her command platoons, including those providing in-depth maintenance on various land systems equipment, metal fabrication and vehicle recovery in support of a Logistics Brigade. She also deployed as part of a programme to inspection and refurbish the British Army’s vehicle fleet in Canada, with her team completing 150 vehicles in 3-months. The highlight of her time in Land System Engineering was as Light Aid Detachment (LAD) Command, where she led an engineering detachment of 50 personnel, providing engineering support to an Armoured Engineer Regiment in preparation to deploy on operation in Afghanistan; she relished the challenge of the supporting the variety of equipment, including armoured vehicles, combat engineering vehicles and plant equipment. Kate was fortunate enough to perform the role of LAD Commander for the UK Crew Training School, who provided specialist driver training for troops deploying to Afghanistan.

Kate’s experience as an Aircraft Engineering Officer (AEO) is equally varied, spanning rotary, fixed-wing aircraft, and Un-crewed Aerial Systems (UAS). Starting her AEO career with the Army Lynx helicopter, she commanded a 60 strong aviation engineering platoon that supported operational flying training. A highlight as a Lynx AEO was the introduction Mark 9a Urgent Operation Requirement. Here, she led the engineering detachment supporting flying operation to prepare for the aircraft’s inaugural deployment, including environmental training in Kenya, before deploying with the detachment on operations in Afghanistan. She served as AEO for the Army’s UAS fleet, compromising of Watchkeeper and Desert Hawk 3. She has had the privilege to command an Apache Helicopter Workshop held at very high readiness. She supported the Apache’s first deployment in the artic environment and onboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth. Kate has performed the role of Deputy Continuing Airworthiness and was responsible and accountable for the Continuing Airworthiness for the Gazelle, Defender and Islander aircraft fleet. Currently, she is working in In-service Capability Management for the Army’s Military Register Civilian Owned Aircraft at Joint Helicopter Command.

Kate has been a Chartered Engineer with The Institute of Engineering and Technology since 2018 and aspires to gain fellowship membership level. Keen to encourage professional development, she has supported individuals in achieving professional engineering status, both civilian and military, and was a STEM ambassador for the Bloodhound Land Speed Record Project. Throughout her career, Kate organised and delivered training activities to augment core military activity, including mountaineering and skiing expedition.

Originally from Staffordshire, Kate has now adopted North Yorkshire as her home. Much of her spare time is spent putting her practical engineering skills to use in renovating her small cottage. When not engaging in DIY, she enjoys heading for the hills for trekking or rock climbing and has volunteered as an expedition supervisor for the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme for 12 years. More recently, she has been involved with the Covid vaccine rollout as a Saint John Ambulance volunteer vaccine carer.