Mike Claridge OBE FCMI FCILT

Experience

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  British Army

  Jun 1991 - Jun 2018

  Co-ordinated all aspects of operational output, training, finance, administration, compliance inspections, equipment availability and forecast of events for an 800 strong organisation whilst having personnel continually deployed on operations around the globe. • Inherited and revitalised a significant £500K project to implement a specialist training facility. Re-engaged with and convinced stakeholders of the continued benefits that could be realised. Gained endorsement and funding, managed contractors and delivered ahead of schedule, above quality expectations and on budget.• Led a significant change programme to reorganise an 800 strong, multi-disciplined organisation. Sound analysis, planning and adept stakeholder management assured significant financial savings and reduced workforce disruption. Achieved ahead of schedule, whilst maintaining operational outputs and passing all concurrent external audits with strong reports.• As Fleet Manager for over 300 vehicles successfully led a multi-disciplined team through regular engagement, skilled analysis and a continual improvement mind set to ensure higher than expected availability and top level passes in all external assurance audits. Show less Led a 150 strong organisation charged with providing logistic support to UK military forces based in Germany. Headed a 270 strong multinational team providing transport and security to the main Headquarters in Afghanistan. Successfully programme managed the training, 7 month deployment, operational activity and redeployment of the force.• Recognised as the best Team Leader of 42 in peer group for strong inclusive leadership, project and programme delivery, personnel management, talent identification and operational output resulting in all milestones being delivered successfully and higher than average staff retention.• Analysed the security situation in central Kabul, redesigned the approach and improved stakeholder engagement, which resulted in a much stronger security environment. Awarded a Commanding General’s Commendation.• Devised a programme of improved physical and motivational training designed to reduce the number of personnel who could not be fully employed. Personal leadership and an inclusive approach improved statistics by over 50%. This was held up as an exemplar method to similar organisations whilst improving the morale of people in my wider team. Show less

  • Lieutenant Colonel

    Jun 1991 - Jun 2018

  • Senior Manager & Chief Of Staff

    Feb 2011 - Sept 2012

  • Head Of Department

    Aug 2007 - Aug 2009

  • Various Leadership Positions

    Jun 1991 - Aug 2007
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  Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)

  Aug 2009 - Feb 2011

  Senior Manager Logistic Network Enabled Capability

  Key delivery manager reporting directly to the Head of a 1300 strong procurement organisation, spread geographically across 10 sites, charged with delivering a major IT outsourcing contract to industry alongside business as usual. Responsible for programme milestone completion and briefing throughout the tender and negotiating phase, through to contract award, of a 10 year multi million pound contract.• Successfully provided Project Control, risk reporting, stakeholder management and Chief of Staff roles on a ground breaking project which was recognised by a CEO Commendation due to the benefits realised.• Against very tight timelines delivered substantive improvements in office efficiency and meeting schedules to ensure that the additional workload could be absorbed without additional resource Show less

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  Defence Academy of the United Kingdom

  Sept 2012 - Jul 2013

  Student on Advanced Command and Staff Course

  Successfully completed the 11 month post-graduate level, residential, course designed to prepare attendees for senior positions in the MOD by broadening professional knowledge of strategic leadership, political, economic, and international issues.• Earned a distinction in the technically complex “Policy to Capability” exam and a merit for each of the three formal essay submissions.

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  Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)

  Jul 2013 - now

  Senior Supply Chain Manager

  Lead a team of military and civil servants charged with the delivery of munitions to operational theatres and exercises, security of munitions in transit, modelling of future inventory requirements and contingency planning. Lead Operations Manager in a 1600 strong organisation holding a £4.5Bn inventory.• Led a substantial change programme, against significant resistance, across a wide stakeholder community including commercial partners. Guaranteed success through close management, engagement, persuasion and central briefings to ensure that the security of munitions in transit was considerably enhanced and organisational reputation protected.• Ensured through regular stakeholder engagement that over £400M of inventory holdings overseas were either disposed of locally or were returned via the most economic route that policy allowed, without incident, winning acclaim from NAO and enhancing departmental reputation.• Conducted an analysis into the usage rates, method of deployment and expenditure of high value capital assets. Presented findings to stakeholders, altered attitudes, and modified the deployment of the assets which resulted in savings of over £7M.• Conducted an in depth supply chain analysis of future operational requirements resulting in increased capability, sustainability and reduced risk. The national importance of this work was recognised by a CEO commendation.• Increased support to operational delivery through a continuous improvement mind set. By engaging stakeholders and leading lessons learnt processes identified and rectified issues which enhanced customer confidence, delivered savings, refined process and led to better staff morale. Show less