Matt Hunt
Maritime Autonomous Business Lead
Using the experience of former servicemen to provide a first rate service to our customers
Many people that work at Thales have first-hand experience working for the armed forces, which gives them a unique perspective and understanding of the solutions that are required by our customers. Using the experience of former military personnel to provide a first rate service to our customers.
What is your current role at Thales UK?
My current role within is as the Maritime Autonomous Business Lead for our UK defence business.
Please tell us a little about your experience in the navy:
I joined the Royal Marines in 1994 as a Rifleman in a Commando unit and completed a number of tours including Northern Ireland and eight months in South-East Asia, as part of the Hong Kong handover in 1997. I then joined Commando Logistics Regiment (CLR) in the medical squadron completing a number of Norway Tours and trips on ship to the Mediterranean. I completed my Technician training with the REME in 2001 returning to CLR and heading straight to Afghanistan for my first tour. I joined HMS Albion in 2003 and completed two years as ships company touring Norway, USA and the Mediterranean.
In 2005 I joined Royal Marines Poole completing three further tours of Afghanistan and a number of Maritime Counter Terrorism roles. During my 11 years with Poole I continued technical and professional training culminating in my final role as the C4ISTAR capability development officer. My final official duty was receiving a 4 star commendation for JFC.
How do you feel your experience in the marines has benefitted you in your current role?
My experience has provided me with leadership and decision-making skills that I developed over decades in high-pressure situations. Added to this, I feel it has given me a work ethos of reliability and accountability, as well as behaviours such as integrity, professionalism, teamwork, trust and humour under pressure.
I understand the customer but it is deeper than that for Thales, as it allows translation of military speak into civilian speak. On initial visits to new defence customers, the very fact that I am ex-military instantly creates a bond that could not be established by someone who is not a veteran.