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January 01, 2021

Selecting & Inspiring The Next Generation of Leaders: Colonel Lucy Giles Inspiring leadership interview with Jonathan Bowman-Perks

Podcast Details

Top Tip

Be comfortable in your own skin, get the small things right and never stop learning!

Colonel L M Giles BSc MA PGCE Hon LLD

Lucy Giles was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Transport in 1992 after studying at Exeter University. Regimental duty in the newly formed Royal Logistic Corps included postings within Germany, UK and South Africa with deployments to Bosnia (1994, 1997, 1999), East Timor and Sierra Leone. She commanded 47 Air Despatch Squadron, enabling operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, followed by an appointment as an instructor at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. As Commander of New College at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst she received an entry into Debrett’s People of the Day, and won the inaugural Defence ‘Inspirational’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ awards. She is an ambassador for First Women UK and is part of the Girls School Association teachers’ mentoring programme. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Exeter University in 2017 for services to the military. Married to Nick and mum to Jess (16) and Alex (12) she is President of the Army Officer Selection Board in Westbury. Top Tip: Be comfortable in your own skin, get the small things right and never stop learning!

Colonel Lucy Giles has recently taken up the prestigious role of President of the Army Officer Selection Board at Westbury, Wiltshire, where she is responsible for Regular, Reservist & Cadet Forces officer selection into the British Army.  In her previous role she was the first female College Commander in The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s 200 year history. As New College Commander, Lucy oversaw the leadership development of officer cadets on the Regular Commissioning Course through a programme of academic study, military exercises and physical training.

Lucy was brought up in Bayford and joined Sexey’s School having completed her GCSEs at King Arthurs School, Wincanton. On completing her A levels she studied Biology at Exeter where she joined the University Officer Training Corps. Lucy joined the Army in 1992 and saw regimental duty in Germany, followed by tours of Bosnia and in South Africa. On being promoted to Major, she was posted to 5 Airborne Brigade with tours to East Timor, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia again. Lucy commanded 47 Air Despatch Squadron Royal Logistic Corps enabling operations in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining Headquarters Directorate Royal Logistic Corps. This was followed by a tour at a training regiment and a teaching appointment at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. She gained her Masters in Military Studies with Cranfield University and her PGCE with the University of Southampton.

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