Armed Forces Support.
Armed Forces Support.
Cammell Laird is proud of our long history of supporting the UK’s Armed Forces and the Royal Navy in particular.
Cammell Laird’s commitment to the armed forces lies at the heart of our business and everything we do.
As a company we recognise the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families contribute to our business, and the country as a whole.
Armed Forces Covenant.
Cammell Laird has a long tradition of supporting the Armed Forces. In 2023, Cammell Laird received the Silver Award from the Armed Forces Covenant under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in recognition of the company’s commitment to the armed forces community.
Signing the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations pledge to honour two main principles which are: no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage at work or in the community compared to other citizens and in some circumstances special consideration is appropriate for those who have given most, such as the injured or bereaved.
The company proudly signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2015, a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Cammell Laird is also proud to count reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouse/partners amongst its workforce. The company has a long tradition of supporting the Armed Forces by celebrating Armed Forces Week, showcasing some of those who have made the transition from military to civilian life and now work at Cammell Laird.
Cammell Laird has supported Britain’s armed forces since its inception. The company played a key role in both World Wars by both building and repairing vessels. During World War II alone the shipyard produced nearly 200 commercial and military vessels in support of the UK war effort.
Cammell Laird’s dedicated Defence Division continues to provide ongoing support to the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary through its ongoing in-service support contract, the Type 45 Power Improvement Programme and ongoing delivery of the Dreadnaught submarine class.
The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust was named Cammell Laird’s Group charity in 2021/22.
Former Armed Forces Personnel
at Cammell Laird.
David McGinley
David McGinley, Chief Executive Officer, Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders, Atlantic and Peninsula Marine Services, has a proud record of serving his country in the Royal Navy for a quarter of a century.
David joined the Royal Navy in 1971 as a Junior Marine Engineering Mechanic, Class 2, having been inspired to join the military by the service of family members, although he was the first to join the Royal Navy.
During his 25 years’ service David served onboard HM Ships Tiger, Abdiel, Amazon, Middleton and York as well as spending time in the Falklands and the Middle East. He left the military in 1995 at the rank of Warrant Officer Marine Engineering (M).
Over the next 20 years David forged himself a successful career in business before arriving at A&P Group in 2017 and remains Chief Executive Officer of Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd, Atlantic and Peninsular Marine Services Ltd.
David says the values instilled in him throughout his Naval service - commitment, self-discipline, teamwork, flexibility and openness - have hugely influenced his civilian career.
Tim Dabek
Tim Dabek first joined Cammell Laird in 2010 after nine years in the Royal Navy – a career which saw him involved with anti-piracy operations off Somalia.
Tim joined the Navy aged 16 to see the world and gain a degree in Marine Engineering. He went on to become manager of several different engineering sections on board the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Exeter and Type 23 Frigate HMS Argyll. He worked mainly in the Gulf and off the coast of Somalia where he was Technical Search Team Leader on boarding operations, seizing drugs and illegal firearms.
After leaving the Navy in 2009 at the rank of Petty Officer Marine Engineer Artificer, Tim first joined Cammell Laird the following year as Fleet Time Support, a post he held for four years, After a spell working offshore on oil rigs, Tim returned to Cammell Laird as Project Estimator in 2017, the position he currently holds.
Tim is a keen supporter of the Help for Heroes charity which supports wounded veterans and their families. He has fundraised by playing in charity rugby matches and taking part in challenges such as Tough Mudder and Survival of the Fittest.
Pete Jones
After almost 30 years in the Royal Navy, Pete Jones is now a Project Electrical Design Engineer at Cammell Laird, working predominantly on the RFA Cluster contracts.
Pete joined the Navy as a Artificer Apprentice in 1989 before joining HMS Collingwood to conduct Weapon Engineering training, eventually specialising as a Communications/Electronic Warfare Maintainer.
He joined his first ship, HMS Chatham in 1990 and spent the first part of his career on Plymouth based ships before moving onto Portsmouth based ships from 2000. He served mostly on Frigates with his last sea job being Executive Warrant Officer of HMS Lancaster.
Pete had numerous shore positions, including at Bristol MoD Abbey Wood and Faslane Navy Base. His last position was as a member of Maritime Commissioning Trials and Assessments as part of the inspecting team on board the new build Aircraft Carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
He left the Navy in 2017 as a Warrant Officer (First Class) Weapon Engineering Technician, and immediately joined Cammell Laird and believes his technical background and previous roles enabled him to step fairly seamlessly into his current role.
Jonjo Sullivan
Jonjo Sullivan joined 1175 (Prenton) Sqn in Feb 2005 as a cadet with the Air Training Corps. He raised to the rank of cadet Flight Sergeant leaving in 2011.
From there he joined the sqn as a civilian instructor taking on the role of Sports officer and Training Officer overlooking all the training on the sqn for the cadets and staff. In 2015 he went back in to uniform as a Sergeant RAFAC after attending a weeklong course at RAF Cranwell.
On 2nd September 2018 Jonjo was appointed the role of Officer Commanding 1175 (Prenton) Sqn. In this role he was to manage the sqn and all its staff in all elements of what they do. When he took control of the sqn, he was told that the sqn was to close in 6 months due to lack of cadets. After 6 months had passed and the work that had been done, not only had the sqn been told it will not close, they were awarded the most improved sqn in Merseyside and awarded a building refurb.
During his time as OC of 1175, he has been a part of the first aid training team taking cadets to national competitions and even winning. In April 2020 Jonjo applied for the role of Merseyside wing first aid officer where he was successful and was appointed. The following month he was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant RAFAC. Following his appointment, Jonjo completed his Level 3 in adult education and training qualification which gave him the skills required to train adults in various subjects.
In June 2021, he applied for a queen commission meaning Jonjo would become an officer and leave the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) life behind him. He was appointed to the rank of Flying Officer RAFAC on 2nd July 2021, Jonjo then attended his Initial officer’s course in February this 2022 where he gained his ILM Level 4 (Institute of leadership and management). In May 2022 Jonjo was informed that he has been recommended for promotion to Flight Lieutenant.
Over the past few years, Jonjo has arranged for Cammell Laird to lay a wreath on remembrance parade in Hamilton square.
Frank Newall
Frank Newall joined the First Royal Tank Regiment in September 1990. He trained in Bovington, and learned to drive a tank in Catterick.
Frank was stationed in Germany for 2 years and later Canada. He ended his army career as Trooper Private in Tidworth Salisbury in 1994.
Frank has worked for Amec, and other manufacturing contracting jobs before joining CL as a Plater in April 2012.
Anthony Byrne
Anthony Byrne served in the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and is now a Mechanical Fitter at Cammell Laird.
Kenny Bates
Kenny Bates Joined the Navy in 2006 and remained in service for 6 years. He served as a Marine Engineer and was based in Plymouth on the HMS Argyll and toured the Arabian Gulf on Optellic. Kenny joined Cammell Laird in April 2022 as an Estimator.
