Steve Ramm O.B.E.
Business Development Lead for Submarines, and Research and Development
Using real-world Naval experience to enhance Thales’s operational expertise
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.
One of these people is Steve Ramm O.B.E, who joined Thales in 2010 following a successful career in the Royal Navy.
What is your current role at Thales UK?
I have been with Thales UK since 2010 and work as Business Development Lead for submarines and Research and Development, liaising with the Operational Customer(s) to ensure that we understand their capability needs and priorities.
Please tell us about your experience in the Navy:
I joined the Navy in 1976 and spent the first 15 years at sea in submarines conventional and nuclear submarine culminating in the command of three submarines. I also spent three years running the Submarine Sea Training Organisation, working our submarines up to operational readiness and ensuring that they were able to fully exploit the sensors that were largely developed and supplied by Thales UK.
Latterly I commanded the northern (FASLANE) Flotilla of a squadron the UK’s nuclear deterrent and a squadron of SSNs and the Minewarfare Squadron. My time in the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall included being responsible for the management the directorate responsible for the UK’s Under Water capability requirements as well as broadening jobs in current operations such as The Balkans Directorate. My wider experience included defence diplomacy appointments with my final job as UK Naval Attaché in Washington DC.
How do you feel your experience in the Navy has benefitted you in your current role?
My experience in the Royal Navy means that I have been able to offer the organisation deep operational expertise of command and submarines operations, which gives me credibility to assist the Royal Navy in developing their capability requirements across the maritime environment. This has enabled me to work with our world leading engineering expertise to interpret the customer’s operational needs and considerations in the development of equipment and DLoD associated capability.
My experience in the Royal Navy means that I have been able to offer the organisation deep operational expertise of command and submarines operations, which gives me credibility to assist the Royal Navy in developing their capability requirements across the maritime environment.