King’s Honours Shine on Defence Lab Heroes
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is buzzing after its stars bagged top honours in the 2024 King’s New Year Honours list. Leading the charge is Kirsty Tilley, Dstl’s Autonomy Programme Manager, who scooped the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her outstanding work in defence and championing inclusion, especially for the visually impaired.
Kirsty Tilley: Champion for the Visually Impaired
Kirsty heads the vision impairment wing of Dstl’s Employee Support Network, providing crucial support and guidance to colleagues. She’s helped the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) rake in over £4.5 million since 2020 by backing their popular Christmas campaign. On top of that, Kirsty passionately supports Goalball UK, a sport designed for those with visual impairments.
But that’s not all. Kirsty has driven initiatives to improve working conditions for women in defence, focusing on better Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for female staff. Plus, she leads key projects to fast-track autonomous systems adoption within Dstl’s Autonomy Programme.
“It is really overwhelming to receive this honour,” said Kirsty. “This reflects the amazing people I work with at Dstl and beyond. I want to highlight how vital it is to support diverse groups and those with disabilities in defence. My daughter, who is visually impaired, inspires me – I want the workforce she joins to be welcoming to her and others.”
More Dstl Experts Pick Up Top Awards
Dstl’s triumph doesn’t stop there. Over 40 experts, including military advisers, received Commendation Awards from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS). Among them, Professor Joann Prior, a trailblazer with 30+ years of scientific leadership in defence, recognised for breakthroughs in medical research related to defence concerns.
Reflecting on her award, Professor Prior said, “I’m thrilled my career in science for Dstl has been honoured. It shows the MOD truly values science excellence. I’ve been lucky to work alongside brilliant scientists in a stimulating environment.”
Wargaming Team Powers Army’s Future Strategy
The Dstl wargaming team also clinched a group VCDS award after shaping the British Army’s new Land Operating Concept. Their work led to the Army’s largest-ever force development wargame, delivering vital insights that will guide military capability investments for the next decade.
Project Manager Andrew Fulton hailed the team’s relentless effort: “The joint Dstl, military, and industry team designed wargames testing how the Army might operate under the new concept. The evidence produced is unmatched, helping the Army make smarter policy decisions. I’m proud and the commendation is well earned.”
Dstl Chief Hails Outstanding Achievements
Dstl’s Chief Executive, Dr Paul Hollinshead, praised the honours: “I’m immensely proud of our experts for their dedication and the recognition they’ve earned in the 2024 New Year Honours. Their commitment to delivering world-class defence advice is incredible. We look forward to their continued success.”
