Matthew Richards

Experience

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  NATO

  Sept 2009 - Mar 2012

  Communications Technician Shift Leader.

  Supervise the monitoring of NATO backbone communications networks using IP and bandwidth management equipment. Co-ordinate repair actions as required. Liaise with external agencies, both civilian and military, often in foreign countries. Manage 9 international personnel on my shift with respect to training, both locally and at the NATO CIS School and schedule/leave co-ordination. Prepare daily briefs for the 1 star General.

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  HMS Collingwood

  Apr 2012 - Oct 2012

  Professional courses.

  Undertaking courses prior to joining next unit. Courses include Data Links, Command System (DNA2), Combat System Highway and Sea Survival.

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  Royal Navy

  Oct 2012 - now

  Deputy Weapon Engineering Officer onboard HMS Enterprise. As Warrant Officer (WO) Weapon Engineer (WE) and as part of a wider engineering department, I was the most senior member of the WE Sub Dept reporting only to one officer, who was a Marine Engineer. For this reason it was effectively my department to run as I saw fit. With a department of 13 subordinates, my responsibilities where wide and varied including Engineering maintenance management and supervision, managerial administration, personnel management both professional and pastoral, training & mentoring, inter departmental liaison, external authority liaison. Show less Following a structure change within the Weapon Engineering department onboard, my role shifted from Head of Group with section responsibilities (Command System) to Departmental Co-ordinator and Head of Group. My role now is essentially a management role whereby all 40 personnel within the department come under my control for employment onboard, courses, leave and associated record keeping, maintenance of currency of skills with end dates. My role as Head Of Group still exists with the same overall responsibilities although the group structure has now changed in the same structural shake-up. I am additionally obliged to maintain oversight of the Command Information system as the new maintainer has yet to complete the course, further extending my current responsibilities. Show less This position is a balance between running a busy Command System section and providing management oversight of three subordinate sections, namely Radar, Sonar and Information Systems. Whilst those sections possess competent maintainers, it is my role to ensure the correct and highest levels in their administration and engineering standards. Meanwhile I need to ensure the same applies to my own section, being the beating heart of a very active Type 23 frigate ensuring maximum availability of the ships system tying in all the weapon and sensors systems onboard and providing the means for presentation to the Command in order to fight the ship. Show less

  • Engineering Technician

    Sept 1996 - now

  • Engineering Manager

    Jan 2022 - Jun 2023

  • Department Co-ordinator

    Oct 2014 - Apr 2016

  • Head of Group - Command information

    Oct 2012 - Oct 2014
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  Babcock International Group

  Apr 2016 - Dec 2017

  Weapon Engineer (Sensors)

  Whilst still a serving member of the Royal Navy but embedded with Babcock. Engaged with the radar team assisting the civilian workforce with defect investigation and rectification and with setting to work of radar equipment.

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  BRNC Dartmouth

  Dec 2017 - Sept 2020

  Initial Sea Time Coordinator

  Employed within the phase one (basic training) for Royal Navy officer cadets. Primary role was embarking on front line Naval vessels with a group of cadets, numbering anywhere from 15 to 80, in order to prepare them for life at sea. Quality assured and delivered training in all areas of life on board and conducted assessment on completion, after approximately 5 weeks. Prior to any embarkation all coordination with ships and dockyards for paperwork and security carried out. May involve international travel, visa issues, etc. When not onboard, I updated training materials, re writing the cadets task book and exams whilst delivering lessons within the college. Show less

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  Babcock International Group

  Oct 2020 - Jan 2022

  Maintenance Engineer
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  Babcock International Group

  Jun 2023 - now

  Work Package Manager