Janet studied social sciences, practised as a probation officer, family therapist and family mediator for 10 years before directing over 50 interdisciplinary studies on various aspects of family life and relationships at Newcastle University.

She has held a number of public appointments and undertaken a variety of consultancy and pro-bono projects for government departments. She was lead adviser to the independent review, commissioned in 2019 by the then Secretary of State for Defence, examining the support needs of military families, and the lead author of the review report ‘Living in Our Shoes’ published in June 2020. Most recently she’s been the Chair of the Archbishops' Commission on Families and Households and lead author of the report 'Love Matters' published in 2023. She is an Independent Adviser to the implementation of the MOD Families Strategy, and trustee of the Naval Families Federation.

As an Army officer Jacko completed operational tours & training around the world with postings in the UN, NATO, the UK MoD & Army Headquarters.

Since leaving he has focussed commercially on stakeholder management, business development and refining customer service delivery models including as National Operations Director on the complex recruiting programme in partnership with the MoD. He was appointed as the Director of Defence Relationship Management (DRM) in 2019.

Director Aviation & Strategy

I have been a member of a Forces family all my life, firstly as the child of a serviceman, then during my 37 years of service in the Royal Air Force, and latterly as the spouse of a serving officer. I joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot and was lucky enough to fly fast jets (Phantom F4) both on the front line and as an instructor. I later commanded a squadron operating the E-3D AWACS, and then the main operating base at RAF Waddington. I also deployed as the operational commander for all UK air operations in the Gulf and Afghanistan. Following retirement from the Service I spent the next 12 years working on commercial aviation safety, and am now helping reduce aviation's carbon footprint.

Founder, Scotty's Little Soldiers

Nikki Scott (BEM) is the founder of Scotty’s Little Soldiers – the charity for bereaved military children and young people. After Nikki’s husband was killed in action whilst serving in Afghanistan, she saw the devastating impact on her young children and decided to set up a charity, which has gone on to support hundreds of British Forces children bereaved of a military parent. Scotty’s Little Soldiers provides its members with a variety of specialist bereavement support throughout their childhood, to remind them they are not alone.

Commercial Manager- Mott MacDonald

I am currently a commercial manager with Mott MacDonald, responsible for contracts primarily across civil and defence nuclear. I am also Families Lead on Mott MacDonald's Armed Forces Steering Group. Prior to this, I was an assistant commercial manager, having spent time as an assistant project manager and also project and programme office admin roles, all within Motts. I had quite a squiggly career before joining Motts, including as an editor, as a PA and as an EA. With a partner in the Army who works married unaccompanied, I am passionate about promoting flexible working as a means of allowing (particularly) military family members to balance family commitments with developing a successful career.

Charities Ambassador

Parkdean Resort UK

Henry spent over 30 years in the Royal Navy, most of it in the Fleet Air Arm. He has deployed on operations all over the world afloat, ashore and in the air. More recently, he worked in the private security and hospitality industry and is currently a Charities Ambassador for Parkdean Resorts. He is a staunch advocate of the often-unsung support behind the uniform and the vast array of talent in veterans and members of the UK Armed Forces.