DE&S is extremely proud of our people recognised at the Public Finance Awards 2023.

We had one individual and two teams shortlisted for the final this year, all of whom have shown their dedication and talent as we deliver for UK Armed Forces to protect our nation and help it prosper.

Megan Densley-Alford was a finalist in the Public Finance Future Leader of the Year category.

She joined DE&S as a Finance & Accounting apprentice in 2017 and in early 2022 was part of a newly set-up team within Land Domain focusing on gifting and rapidly procuring equipment to Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

Now a Cost Controller in Vehicle Support, she said:

“It was incredibly fast-paced, and, at the time, I was also getting to grips with working at a higher level.

“It was an ever-evolving task. We were responsible for the financial reporting for around 300 different Land asset and service requirements during the busiest times.

“Like most people I always have some doubts when it comes to my ability, but by throwing me in at the deep end with something that, at the time, we didn’t know much about, ended up giving me much more confidence and really accelerating my skills and learning.”

Megan admits to being a perfectionist, determined to balance the books so well that at the end of each month the accounts show the lowest variance possible between what was budgeted for and what was spent.

“I think that’s why the role suits me so well,” she added. “I was quite shocked to be representing DE&S in an individual award, but I’m very proud of myself too.”

Now in their seventh year and held in London, the Public Finance Awards “recognise the people, products and services that demonstrate excellence and originality within public finance.”

Our cost control teams in Artillery Systems (LEOC) and International Guns, Missiles and Rockets (WOC) were both shortlisted in in the Central Government and National Bodies Finance Team of the Year category.

The Artillery Systems team is made up of Nick Stewart, Michelle Sheppard, Dean Hancock, Alexandra Clarke and Mushtaq Qureshi.

Nick said:

“Just to make the finals at such a prestigious event, with lots of tough competition from all over the UK, is something we’re hugely proud of.

“That being said, our outputs are just a reflection of the immense effort that has been conducted by the wider Artillery Systems Delivery Team over the past couple of years.

“The real credit has to be shared with all our colleagues in the team who demonstrate professionalism and expertise every day in order to deliver quality products and services to the Front Line.”

The IGMR cost control team nominees were Katherine Webb, Tammy Norris, Tori Bush, Rebecca Cox and Holly Farr, whose roles serve procurements for the British Army, RAF, Joint Helicopter Command and Strategic Command.

They have had an exceptionally busy year balancing business as usual with Urgent Capability Requirements, supporting Ukraine and the UK’s replenishment efforts such as Javelin missiles and Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles.

Lead Cost Controller Katherine said:

“We were delighted and honoured to be nominated and have our work recognised. It was a very enjoyable evening and it was great to meet other DE&S colleagues nominated this year.”