We celebrate International Women’s Day this year by honouring the success and achievements of women across the Ascent business. And these are only a fraction of the amazing women at Ascent who bring a wide range of skills, backgrounds and careers to our business, enabling us to succeed and grow our training mission.
Helen, can you tell us a little bit about your background?
I was brought up in Yorkshire and attended the University of Nottingham, completing a degree in Economics. There, I joined the East Midlands University Air Squadron and was given the opportunity to learn to fly. However, it wasn’t until I graduated in 1990, that the rules for female military aircrew changed and I was able to consider a career in the RAF, and so I joined as a pilot in 1991.
Following several years of training, I was posted to 43(F) Squadron at RAF Leuchars, as the first female pilot on the Tornado F3 fighter aircraft. I completed tours as an instructor on both the Tornado F3 and the Tucano training aircraft and also had the privilege of serving as Officer Commanding 72 Sqn, the Basic Fast Jet Training Squadron for aspiring military fast jet pilots.
I left the RAF in 2013, after 22 years, and joined Thales, where I managed a large number of synthetic training sites across the UK, including Tucano, High G and the synthetic engineering teams for A400M and Typhoon. I joined Ascent in 2022 as Principal Training Design Manager for Fixed Wing Training.
What attracted you to work at Ascent?
I have been involved in Military Flying Training for over 35 years and am passionate about ensuring our future aircrew are given the best chance of becoming professional, capable and effective military aviators. I was previously involved in UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) at the start of its commercial lifecycle, working as part of the Transition Team within 22 Gp in 2004-2007. Working for Ascent offered me a chance to continue to play a significant role in the future of military flying training, whilst also discovering how UKMFTS has developed and evolved over the past 15 years.
What does your role at Ascent entail?
As Principal Training Design Manager for Fixed Wing Training, I manage the training system design, syllabi and courseware for all Elementary Pilot, Multi-Engine Pilot and Fixed Wing Mission Aircrew courses within UKMFTS. Along with colleagues from across the business, we manage a significant amount of change and the introduction of new military training requirements. We ensure the wide spectrum of UKMFTS aircrew training courses remain coherent and effective, enabling our site operations teams to continue to graduate capable aviators to the military front line.
What should the defence industry be doing to attract more women?
A career in defence, be that in the military or industry, should be an exciting and fulfilling experience for everyone. Women have the potential be high performers in any role, given the right qualifications, experience, training and most importantly, opportunities.
Attracting women into Defence and Aerospace is being encouraged through wider STEM initiatives, inspiring girls to undertake science subjects at school, generating interest through practical work experience, youth engagement such as Air Cadets and industry apprenticeships. However, we also need to draw attention to inspiring female role models and advocates, to help encourage women to join the sector, whilst continuing to ensure opportunities exist for women to advance and progress to senior levels within the industry.
What issues for women in the wider defence industry could we/are we tackling at Ascent?
Ascent is focused on improving the gender balance within the business. Flexible working enables people to manage their work alongside other commitments. Conferences and seminars, with organisations such as Aspire for Equality and Women in Defence, offer our female employees the opportunity to develop their professional skills and widen their network.
I am a strong advocate for the benefits of coaching and mentoring and would encourage women to become both mentors and mentees. Having Ascent women involved in committees and steering groups that are pushing the boundaries for women across the wider Defence and Aerospace Sector, such as the RAeS, would also help us to become part of the wider conversation.
What advice would you give to other women who are thinking about doing a job like yours?
Until my second year at university, I had no plan to become a female fighter pilot, as I didn’t believe it was even a possibility. However, when the opportunity came along, I decided to give it a go, even though I felt completely out of my comfort zone. Sometimes opportunities present themselves when you least expect it, but they feel ‘right’. I would encourage all women to have the courage to trust their intuition and take a chance on what they want to achieve, even if it seems a little daunting!
Do you have a female role model?
When I first joined the RAF, my role model was Helen Sharman, the first UK astronaut, who launched into space while I was undertaking my initial RAF training in 1991. She advocated that: “We should push forward not only our own individual boundaries, but also the boundaries of what humans believe is possible.”
More recently, I have been hugely inspired by Dr Sam Collins from Aspire for Equality. Her amazing seminars – aimed at creating a more equal and inclusive workplace, supporting women to gain confidence and make deep, lasting changes to their approach to life and work – have allowed me to reflect and grow as a female leader and manager.
What do you enjoy most about working at Ascent?
The people. Being part of a team, managing a team and engaging with customers and suppliers, is extremely rewarding. Mentoring and supporting others where I can, is something I really enjoy. Seeing trainees smiling as they return from a successful training flight also remains a huge motivator for the work I do!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy walking in the Yorkshire countryside, baking cakes and singing in a pop choir.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It is an opportunity to recognise the huge contribution that people of all ages, genders and backgrounds make in supporting the need for equality and empowerment for women across the world.
