Following A Levels at Hereford Sixth Form College, Steve joined the Royal Air Force in 1976 in the trade of Air Traffic Control, before being commissioned in 1984 into the Personnel Branch.
Steve has had a very successful career completing a number of diverse appointments in both Headquarters and Main Operating Bases in the UK and Germany, including Executive Officer to Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany, and a number of appointments in Headquarters Air Command in both policy and career management roles.
In 2004 Steve was posted as Station Commander Joint Support Unit Corsham where he was also responsible for a Cold War underground complex and involved in the management of a Public Finance Initiative.
Steve left the Service in 2008 and founded a consulting company. However, in 2009 he was approached by the RAF, and subsequently appointed, as the Personnel Branch Sponsor, a full time RAF Reserve appointment with overall responsibility for the management of the Personnel Branch and Trade.
Steve has worked closely with the University’s Partnerships team and Business School for five years and his drive, determination and unquestionable commitment has resulted in HR related Foundation and Masters Degrees for all staff working in the Personnel Branch and Trade, which has also extended to the Army.
Steve said, “This exceptional partnership has provided the opportunity to develop routes of academic excellence for military personnel, specifically in the Personnel Branch. The University’s flexibility and appreciation of the demands and constraints of military life allows personnel to gain higher level academic recognition while being able to study in both operational and non-operational environments. This flexibility is an important factor in both recruitment and retention.”
The award of Honorary Doctor of the University is bestowed upon Steve in recognition of his dedication to working with the Partnerships Team and Business School. This contribution has facilitated the continued and growing success of tailored awards for staff in the Personnel Branch of the RAF, increasing the University’s student base whilst promoting the University as a partner of choice for the RAF.