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An Insight into the Armed Forces

Armed Forces Day is on 30 June and pays tribute to all servicemen and women of the British Armed Forces, from troops that are currently serving to veterans. We are proud to take part in this day as a demonstration of our commitment to the Armed Forces.

Many of those working at Thales in the UK have first-hand experience in the Army, Navy or Royal Air Force. This experience gives them a unique perspective and understanding that enables us to provide better solutions for our customers.

We spoke to some of our people that have experience in the Armed Forces. These are their stories.

Steve Ramm OBE

Steve Ramm O.B.E.

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 (SSK) and nuclear submarine (SSN and SSBN) culminating in the command of 3 submarines. I also spent 3 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 UKs 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 UKs 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. 

Matt Hunt

Matt Hunt

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 navy 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, team work, 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.

Malcolm Crayford

Malcolm Crayford

What is your current role at Thales UK?

I work in a Business Development and Sales role in the Thales UK defence business. I am the Capture Lead for a number of air-related MOD opportunities. I also provide military advice, across Thales UK’s businesses, on a range of military air-related opportunities.

Please tell us a little about your experience in the RAF

I was commissioned into the Fighter Control (now Air Operations) Branch of the RAF and, in my formative years as a fighter controller, I directed fast jet aircraft to intercept potentially hostile aircraft. In the later stages of my career, as an Air Commodore, I led the operational delivery and capability development of the UK’s Air Surveillance and Control System, military Air Traffic Management, Space Surveillance and Missile Warning and Joint Ground-Based Air Defence organisations. I also have broader Defence experience having worked in the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall in an international security policy role.

I left the RAF in 2012 to pursue a career in industry although I was invited back a year later in a reservist role; I am fortunate to be able to maintain my links to the RAF, through my reservist commitment at Headquarters Air Command, whilst working at Thales.

How do you feel your experience in the RAF has benefitted you in your current role?

My career in the RAF instilled in me a set of core values: Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence – values, which I believe serve me well in my role in Thales. My career in the RAF also honed my leadership and managerial skills – skills which are just as relevant in the private sector. My RAF experience also instilled in me a strong work ethic, resilience and a  positive ‘can-do’ attitude. However, my career in the RAF has, not surprisingly, given me a deep understanding of our [MOD/RAF] customer’s needs, which has enabled me to build very effective customer relationships.

There’s a real value to customer intimacy and my experience in the RAF, when combined with the strengths of Thales, allows me to support the MOD and RAF in new and exciting ways as the RAF enters its second century.

To learn more about how we support the mental health of those who have served, or continue to serve, in the Armed Forces, watch the video below. 

Veterans in the Workplace