From Submarines to Electrification: How Military skills power a career at JLR

Maintenance Process Leader for Electrification - Nearly 2 Years at JLR.
 
The bulk of my career was with the Royal Navy Submarine Service, where I was responsible for maintaining and operating the Trident Nuclear Missile system as part of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD). Transitioning back into civilian life meant navigating various industries, including FMCG and Tier 1 automotive suppliers. While finding the right sector and culture was initially a challenging adjustment, each role provided invaluable insights that shaped my professional toolkit.
 
My time in the Royal Navy was instrumental in developing my leadership capabilities. I evolved from a technical maintainer into a leader/supervisor capable of managing diverse, high-pressure scenarios. Most notably the Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) in 2012. Under the Polaris and Trident agreement, I successfully executed every process and procedure on the system, culminating in a successful missile firing.

 
The Power of Networking and the JLR Opportunity
 
Joining JLR perfectly illustrates the power of professional networking and why no opportunity should be discounted. Initially, I was approached about a Process Leader role that was described as a 50/50 split between maintenance and operations. During my interview with Gary Lewis, we identified a slight misalignment between the initial brief and my specific skill set. However, rather than ending the conversation there, Gary took the time to discuss the broader Electrification project and the exciting growth prospects within these emerging teams.
 
Because of that engaging, forward-looking conversation, JLR remained firmly at the top of my list. Not long after, I was approached for my current role - a much better fit. The onboarding and support structure was seamless, and I was quickly wearing the JLR kit and tackling the challenges of the EV landscape.

 
Driving Success in Battery Maintenance
 
Today, I am incredibly proud to lead a fantastic team within Battery, specifically the Stack lines. We operate with a strong, people-centric mentality, always rallying behind a common purpose and looking out for one another both professionally and personally.
 
The rapid expansion of our maintenance team has fostered a culture of collective learning and continuous development. This shared growth has built incredible synergy and resilience across the team - qualities that stand us in excellent stead for Job 1 (BAU) and the years ahead. While it is a demanding environment, it is also a highly rewarding one. Developing and maintaining our rigorous standards whilst constantly driving improvement is what ensures our long-term success.

Events
 
During my journey with JLR, I have had the privilege of actively engaging with the Armed Forces Community Network (AFCN). Supporting events with organisations like the Royal British Legion, the British Forces Resettlement Service (BFRS), and the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) has been incredibly rewarding. This vibrant veteran community truly embodies the inclusive culture that makes JLR thrive. In addition to my work with the AFCN, I've thoroughly enjoyed participating in cross-functional initiatives like the Icons of IO, Team Improvement Circles (TIC), and our annual Movember campaign. Each of these experiences deeply resonates with my personal values and has allowed me to build meaningful connections across the wider business.