Darren Davies

A capable and resilient commercially driven maritime operations leader with a proven track record of delivering complex, multi-site military focussed contracts across the UK defence estate with international reach. Combines strategic oversight with strong operational credibility to drive safety, performance and commercial outcomes for the betterment of Serco business interests and the customer. Career includes 29 years military service, leading and mentoring integrated management teams within dynamic operational maritime environments across the Mediterranean and Middle East regions.

People focussed and a strong communicator, adept at presenting and influencing a variety of stakeholders from the most senior board members to junior colleagues. Passionate about leadership and culture, inclusively bringing together diverse and dynamic teams using motivational techniques and trust, whilst coaching and mentoring to enhance team performance to achieve results. Constantly planning, analysing, evaluating and problem solving, whilst managing risk and celebrating results inside financial constraints and strict time frames.

Already trusted by Serco DLT, MoD and Royal Navy stakeholders to lead resilience activity, transformation, and deliver consistent, high-performing services across multiple sites.

Head of Service Delivery Area – Devonport - Serco Maritime Services - Devonport

(2025-03)

Accountable for delivering high-risk, business critical maritime operations, circa £13M revenue per annum, across a multi-base MoD contract. Strengthening excellent relationships with DMS NG customers and providing decisive leadership in operational delivery, ownership, safety, and commercial performance. Recognised for embedding visible leadership that enhances accountability, accelerates learning, and drives consistent, quality performance across a team of 150+ personnel, 35 vessels and multiple sites with capacity to deliver at scale.

Proven ability to operate credibly at senior customer and executive level, managing complex stakeholder environments.

• Providing operational leadership for DMS NG, connecting Defence.
• Integrated cross-site operations, improving operational efficiency and eliminating duplication across Devonport and Portsmouth. Sub-contracting for operational gain and cost efficiencies.
• Implemented a new commercial hire rate model, improving cost recovery up to 50%, subsequently influencing adoption across the wider contract.
• Restructured workforce roles and accountabilities, improving leadership clarity and team performance; achieved 100% coverage of key supervisory positions.
• Maintained operational readiness across all sites, achieving full compliance with MoD.
• Built strong relationships through sincere stakeholder engagement and established new links across industry partners, commercial and civil, delivering consistent high customer scores and reinforcing confidence in contract delivery across Contracts 1 and 4.

Transition to Service Lead, Global Combat Ship - Royal Navy - England and Scotland

(2021-10 - 2023-12)

Strategic logistics design and management, connecting MOD senior procurement and acquisition teams across multiple sites in England and Scotland. Head of department for project delivery in collaboration with industry partners; British Aerospace Systems, Babcock International, Alan Webb (Asset & Configuration Specialists).

• Multi £Bn projects including Global Combat Ships Type 26 & 31, delivering expertise on workforce, logistics, sustainability, maritime services and day-to-day operating processes.
• Delivered the 'Ship transition from build Plan', including critical data gathering and improved best practice – collaborating with Ships Delivery Group and industry leaders, maximising efficiencies.
• Financial and commercial targets achieved. Used common sense and initiative to instigate corrective action and mitigate risks adding value for money to the British taxpayer.

Strategic Planning Officer - Cabinet Office, UK Government - UK

(2021-03 - 2021-06)

Provided executive leadership to Director Civil Contingencies Secretariat, who in turn was responsible for 10K personnel across Government delivering the assurance framework for G7 Summit. Deliverables included sequenced wargaming, security resilience assurance, a 'rehearsal of concept' exercise and cross-government command post exercise.

• Rapid orientation to strategic context, forming trusted relationship across multiple UK Government departments overseeing senior regional emergency planners, delivering rigour and organisation.
• Demonstrated a willingness to challenge team thinking and implement calibrated change with a sound understanding of the principal's thought process and intent, enabling objectives achieved.

Head of Logistics HMNB Devonport - Royal Navy - Devonport

(2019-08 - 2021-09)

Led a cross-functional in the largest naval base in Western Europe, delivering complex logistics operations and supply chain support globally, supporting circa 2,500 personnel and customers. Ensured business alignment and a collaborative approach from Devonport to Mina Salman Port, Bahrain.

• Spearheaded the planning, delivery, and compliance of operational support activities including catering, transport, supply chain, logistics, medical and human resources management for multiple warships, and their aircraft, deploying from the UK throughout the COVID pandemic.
• Delivered efficiencies within a >£1m budget by continually reviewing processes and activities to identify cost-saving opportunities without negatively impacting operational effectiveness. Demonstrating leadership and direction to ensure adherence to assurance and compliance was always achieved.

Flexible Engagements System Project Manager - UK MOD - UK

(2018-01 - 2019-06)

Led all aspects of implementation for revised Terms of Service transformation programme to improve the lived experience of 50,000+ employees; delivering a new 'People' vision and policy across the UK.

• Led analysis into the creation of the Armed Forces Act 2018 (Flexible Working) with Royal Ascent and representation of protected characteristic groups; briefed at Ministerial level, and UK Military.
• Demonstrated strong complex risk management acumen throughout Project cycle.
• Recipient of Permanent Under Secretary for State (Defence) Team Award.

Deputy Logistics Commander - Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose - Culdrose

(2016-06 - 2018-01)

Head of 120 personnel delivering people management, discipline, learning & development, payroll and administration for 3000 workforce. Regularly represented at Director Logistics level.

• Expedited the delivery and presentation of civilian HR reporting for circa 600 personnel.
• Developed trusting and meaningful professional relationships with a portfolio of complex and sensitive welfare cases including suspects and victims of serious crimes and terminal illness.

Chief of Staff – Joint Force Support (Middle East) - UK/UAE Government - Middle East

(2014-09 - 2014-12)

Directed specialist teams of key stakeholders to deliver Ministerial set objectives in support and collaboration with United Arab Emirates military partners across region.

• Providing logistical and infrastructure support at Director level across the broader Middle East region, inclusive of Afghanistan in the East and Cyprus in the north.
• Leading organisational reform across the Middle East to deliver a useable inventory of all stores.

Senior Logistics Instructor - Maritime Training Organisation – FOST

(2014-07 - 2016-06)

Deputy Head of Logistics Department responsible for the delivery of maritime logistics, inclusive of all catering and medical training requirements to ensure full international maritime compliance and delivery of all firefighting and damage control training scenarios.

• Developed high-performing cross-functional teams, pioneered: Firefighting Command & Control Officer procedures, Mission critical logistics (Global), Events/Hospitality Manager, Engineering Support (Global), Medical Support (Mass Casualty/Disaster Relief).

Head of Logistics Department (Warship) - Royal Navy

(2012-01 - 2014-06)

Accountable for the logistic support, catering, hospitality, supply chain, medical and personnel departments, to generate the vessel and over 200 crew for a global deployment.

• Delivered a fully operational capable platform providing support services and logistics organisation consisting of 40 personnel, through force generation, to deploy globally as Defence requires.
• Demonstrated targeted operational planning to provide supply chain solutions to achieve full global reach, longevity and ship sustainability with full autonomy for budgetary control.
• Recipient of Chief of Joint Operations Commendation for Distinguished Service.

Logistics Officer – Iraq Training Mission - UK/Iraq Government - Iraq

(2010-08 - 2011-05)

Executive Assistant - Britannia Royal Naval College

(2008-03 - 2010-07)

Deputy Logistics Officer – HMS ARGYLL - Royal Navy

(2006-04 - 2008-02)

Logistics & Staff Officer – RNAS Culdrose - Royal Navy - Culdrose

(2004-04 - 2006-04)

Professional Training - Britannia Royal Naval College

(2003-01 - 2004-03)

Joint Operational Planning - Joint Forces Headquarters Northwood (2019-01 - 2019-12)

L7 Master Professional Diploma in Leadership & Management - Leadership & Management - Institute of Leadership & Management (2012-01 - 2012-12)

L6 Master Professional Diploma in Human Resources - Human Resources - Institute of Leadership & Management (2010-01 - 2010-12)

Professional Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc) with Distinction - Naval Studies - Naval Studies Institution (2009-01 - 2009-12)