“It was very encouraging to see such strong support for developing diversity in the sector and I left the event inspired by what others were achieving within their own areas.”
Lucy Finch – Women in Defence Award winner
Published 12th November 2018.
A DE&S employee has won the “emerging talent” category at the prestigious Women in Defence UK awards.
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Lucy Finch, of the DE&S International Guns Missiles and Rockets team at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol, picked up the award presented by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson during a ceremony held at The Imperial War Museum in London.
She was nominated for her work as the Lead Weapons Integration Engineer delivering Paveway IV Mk2 laser-guided bomb onto the UK F35 aircraft.
Lucy said: “The award ceremony was incredible and I’m honoured to be considered amongst a field of such talented women from across defence.”
Lucy, 24, started working at DE&S four years ago, was commended for how she manages and engages with stakeholders such as the US Government and industry partners and is happy to challenge the status quo or the general consensus if she believes that an approach can be improved.
“It was very encouraging to see such strong support for developing diversity in the sector and I left the event inspired by what others were achieving within their own areas”, she added.
Also shortlisted for an award was DE&S employee Lorna Stubbs, the Engineering Trainee Development Manager at Devonport, who was nominated in the ‘Unsung heroines’ category.
The duo were amongst finalists in 10 categories chosen from more than 300 entries from across the Defence community, including the Armed Forces, Civil Service, GCHQ, MI5, and defence industry.
Lorna said: “It was a real surprise, and honour to be even nominated for this award, specifically as the nomination was made by the Submarine Development Agency, who benefit greatly from the apprentices that I manage.”
Women in Defence UK aims to inspire women to succeed, share experience, build networks and encourage talent at all levels to join the defence sector.
Angela Owen, founder of Women in Defence UK and a defence expert at PA Consulting, added: “We’re delighted to have seen such an inspiring and diverse list of finalists during this special year marketing the centenary of suffrage.
“Each finalist – ranging in rank from Lance Corporal to Captain Royal Navy and comprising women and teams from all three of the Armed Forces, the MOD Civil Service, GCHQ and MI5, defence industry and the Houses of Parliament Security – should feel rightly proud of their exceptional achievements and recognition within the defence community.
“At PA, our main focus is on exploring ingenious ways to bring real transformation to organisations and the Women in Defence UK Awards demonstrate what can be achieved when there is a commitment to change.”
