Two DE&S colleagues have received accolades at this year’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) Quality Awards 2024 in recognition of their commitment to quality in Defence.

Alec Robson from DE&S Air Support was named as the winner of the MOD ‘John Bullock’ Quality Ambassador Award, while a unique Special Merit Award was handed to Christopher Hobby from the DE&S Defence Quality Assurance Field Force (DQAFF).

Presented for the third year by David Moore, Director Engineering and Safety at DE&S, the event was organised by Quality and Configuration Management colleagues and showcased the quality efforts and success of all those involved.

With an audience of more than 170, the event was studded with keynote speeches from DE&S CEO Andy Start, as well as event sponsor Chartered Quality Institute’s (CQI) CEO Vince Desmond. Presentations were also given by Rolls Royce, the Defence Nuclear Organisation, Atomic Weapons Establishment and DE&S Head of Management Systems, Tina Mason.

Alec Robson, Winner of the ‘John Bullock’ Quality Ambassador Award, was recognised for his role in coaching and mentoring; specifically, his dedication to creating, communicating and implementing recognised best practice. Over his 40-year career in the MOD, Alec has led tactically within Air, and as a key member of the engineering quality community, forming strategy and improvements for DE&S.

Alec said: “It’s an honour to receive the MOD ‘John Bullock’ Quality Ambassador Award which was in partnership with the Chartered Quality Institute and the Defence Authority for Technical and Quality Assurance. Especially during World Quality Week with this year’s theme being ‘From Compliance to Performance’.

“By embracing quality management principles in driving innovation and success I was able to leverage compliance as a foundation steppingstone and push towards a performance-driven cultural mindset. In effect, we are all quality ambassadors within DE&S to which quality is a lifestyle and not an event.”

Meanwhile, Christopher Hobby, winner of the new Special Merit Award, is a Government Quality Assurance Representative and despite being a new addition to DQAFF, his colleagues say he has shown true diligence and an eye for the work he undertakes.

Due to Christopher’s quick thinking and immediate action, he recently made sure that a potentially life-threatening situation was avoided at a ground running engine test exercise. His actions were universally applauded by the judging panel for applying both quality and safety mindsets to prevent a loss of life and equipment, leading to his special recognition.

Christopher said: “I felt honoured and proud to accept the Special Merit Award on behalf of all of us associated within the Defence Quality Assurance Field Force. It is especially nice to feel valued for my contributions towards the organisation’s efforts.”

Further category winners on the day were:

Rising Star: SGT Christopher Appleyard – Royal Air Force (RAF)

The Rising Star Award is given to an individual new to Quality who has excelled, demonstrated clear potential to succeed and displayed appropriate behaviours such as enthusiasm, proactiveness and professionalism that delivers significant outcomes and benefits to the business.

Inspiring Leadership: Debbie Landrum – Defence Business Services (DBS)

The Inspiring Leadership Award is given to a team or individual who inspired and motivated others to achieve their potential with clear direction and strategy while achieving significant outcomes and benefits to the business.

Best Improvement: Methods and Tools Delivery/Quality Assurance Team – MBDA

The Best Improvement Award is given to a team or individual who has gone above and beyond to implement an improvement that delivers significant outcomes and benefits to the business.

MOD Quality Supplier: Thales

The MOD Quality Supplier Award is given to a Defence supplier in recognition of excellence in their approach to governance, assurance, improvement and leadership. The ability to demonstrate significant evidence of Root Cause Analysis, investment in resources, continual improvement and adopting a position of leadership.