Faces of Thales - Gavin Henry
It is said that it takes a mere seven seconds to form an impression of someone, and the impression Gavin Henry - Business Development Manager, Underwater Systems - gives is someone who is full of energy and passion, relishes a challenge, and enjoys a collaborative working environment. Gavin shares with us his 17-year career in various Commonwealth militaries before transitioning into civilian life at Thales.
Military career
Gavin was born in the UK and remembers moving around various major ports due to his father’s job in the shipping industry. Perhaps it is this continuous theme of living near the water, coupled with his target-driven nature, that Gavin says it was a foregone conclusion he joined the Royal Navy (RN).
“I really thrive when operating in a team and having a common mission. That’s why the military was so appealing for me."
Gavin joined the RN straight out of Manchester University and served on board various ships including HMS Invincible, during her Norwegian and Baltic exercises, as well as HMS Marlborough, deployed to the North Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Telic.
Late in 2003, after almost four years in the RN as a Warfare Officer, Gavin was selected for RN pilot training; finding fixed wing and helicopter flying both a challenging and hugely rewarding experience. However, the lengthy aircrew training pipeline and domestic aspirations led him to separate from the RN and decided to make the move to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). An extended notice period from the Royal Navy gave him the opportunity to be part of the project team for the acclaimed Trafalgar 200 celebrations in 2005, as well as serve as a Battle Watch Captain on behalf of CTF 58; once again in the North Arabian Gulf.
After a short period of settling in to New Zealand and the RNZN in 2007, Gavin began the arduous process that is the RNZN clearance diver training. Although a continuation of his flying career was the intent, the embattled Super Seasprite project, put pay to that.
Successful completion of this training gave him valuable experience and knowledge of all RNZN diving techniques, equipment and capabilities, and subsequently led him to assume the role as the Operations Officer of the Operational Diving Team (ODT). This background proved invaluable when Gavin arrived in Sydney Australia, in February 2009, to embark on the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer’s (MCDO) course. After a demanding, yet thoroughly rewarding period of time with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), he returned to New Zealand having been awarded Dux of the MCDO course.
On his return to NZ he was appointed as the Executive Officer of the ODT and was involved in a plethora of foreign and domestic exercises and operations. “A Navy Clearance Diver is involved in all sorts of different missions, from beach landings to natural disaster relief to explosive ordnance disposal.” Gavin explains. When asked what he loved about the role, he shares that he loved being part of a small, elite team who were all driven and focused on achieving a defined outcome.
The role pushed me to operate at the very edge of human potential – mentally, physically and psychologically. Every diver goes through intense training and it was very satisfying to be able to see the tangible outcomes of that training."
In 2011, he served in the multinational Operation Render Safe in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, where they were tasked with disposing of explosive ordnance remnants from WWII. “It was so rewarding to be able to support the local communities making their environment a safer place to live. Also, by working with our ‘like-minded’ allied partners, we complemented and learned from each other’s skillsets and procedures.
In 2012, Gavin was promoted to Commanding Officer of HMNZS Manawanui which he is proud to say was one of his career highlights. Gavin was recognised with the award of the Chatham Rose Bowl for his ship’s performance, as well as a Chief of Navy’s commendation for leadership and management during his tenure.
With fond memories of his family’s time in Sydney, Australia, when the RAN reached out to offer him the role as Executive Officer on HMAS Diamantia later that year, he just couldn’t refuse. Gavin was then appointed as the Officer in Charge of the Mine Warfare Faculty and embarked on a complete reinvigoration and modernisation of all core training courses, benefiting from his attendance on the RN’s Advanced Mine Warfare course in the UK. This knowledge proved advantageous in his next role as the Deputy Commander, Australian Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Task Group (DCOMAUSMCDTG) managing the RANs engagement in all international mine warfare and clearance diving exercises, as well as driving the RAN’s collective training.
Joining Thales
In 2017, Gavin joined Thales as a Business Development Manager for Underwater Systems.
“The offer was unexpected but came at the right time personally. Ultimately it was my young family that made the decision for me however. The idea of stability at home was extremely attractive and I knew that I didn’t want to distance myself from Defence. It proved to be a great fit whereby I could utilise my skills and experience in mine warfare and clearance diving, as well as a network of allied Navies, to support the Commonwealth customer in the mine warfare domain."
He is currently focused on SEA1095 - Maritime Mine Countermeasures and Military Survey Capability (MMCMMS) and working closely with the customer to translate their objectives. “Thales are taking all of our learnings from SEA1778 (Deployable Mine Counter Measures), which is the pre-cursor to SEA1905. We recognise that this is a huge step for the Commonwealth in terms of the future of mine warfare and Defence is commendably taking a long-sighted view. We want to ensure that the Navy gets the most applicable capability for its unique environment and requirements, that is not only value for money but also interoperable and embedded in Australian industry.”
Gavin feels very empowered and proud of the complete commitment and enthusiasm that is being channelled from the most senior levels within Thales towards the RAN’s autonomous journey. Notably, “being able to leverage and transfer the titanic efforts of my colleagues in Europe on the MMCM (Maritime MCM) program so as to establish a solid foundation here in Australia.
“Operators are going to face huge challenges because there will be a huge step-change to go from legacy systems and standard operating procedures to what is going to be brand new. They are currently having to deal with tsunami of data that comes in from the sensors, so Thales is committed to developing solutions to automate as much as possible. This will improve mission effectiveness and efficiency, and also build trust in the systems."
When asked how his experience as a veteran has shaped the way he works at Thales, Gavin barely pauses when he says:
“I’ve always worked in environments and teams where collaboration was mandatory; I don’t know any other way. In my mind, there is just no way to succeed without it. So, when dealing with significant challenges, we need to make sure we collaborate otherwise we will miss something and not afford the customer core strategic advantage. Collaboration is in my DNA."
Life outside of Thales
After spending most of his career focused on achievement at the highest level, Gavin feels like the days of driving towards relentless goals are gradually moving behind him. “I’ve become more grateful and comfortable with my professional and personal circumstances and am simply enjoying life and a refined focus. I enjoy my work, spending time with my three young children, close friends and my partner. I didn’t move to paradise to drive past it.”
- Gavin firmly beliefs that ‘life is all about building a tapestry of experiences, which with age, come together to benefit you in the most unforeseen ways, making you stronger and, perhaps wiser.” He calls on people to take every opportunity that is presented, and to worry about how you’re going to do it once you’ve secured that opportunity.
- Recognise when you need to take your foot of the gas and when to push hard when you need to perform. “I learnt it the hard way when I applied the same intensity that I did when on military missions to capture. Military operations usually last for short periods of time, but each capture takes months or years. It was just impossible to maintain that level of intensity for such a sustained period. So, I’ve learnt to recognise the peaks and troughs.