Women In Defence: Focus on Taniya Morris

On Monday 12th October, members of the Women in Defence UK community will gather to attend the Women in Defence UK Annual Conference, sponsored by Spectra Group.

As a part of the Women in Defence support initiative, Spectra Group is focussing on Taniya Morris, a member of the extended Spectra Group marketing team. Taniya works for Chamois Consulting, the marketing agency that Spectra Group uses to manage their PR and advertising. As a result, Taniya has worked very closely with the Spectra Group marketing, sales and management teams for nearly three years where her in-depth defence knowledge and experience has helped shape technically and operationally accurate external communications.

Lt Col Taniya Morris, part of the extended Spectra Group marketing team

Taniya joined Chamois in 2019 after a diverse and successful military career, followed by an extended period of independent travel and adventure.  Having served over 20 years in the military as a logistician, staff officer and Army helicopter pilot, including several operational tours, Taniya has an extensive and in-depth knowledge of military operations, requirements and technology.  Her career also included Advanced Staff training, where she obtained Masters Degrees in both Defence Studies and Military Technology.

An accomplished skier, sub-aqua diver and cyclist, Taniya is passionate about life.  On leaving the Army in 2008 she embarked on a 4-year epic circumnavigation of Africa with her husband and their trusty Land Rover, Itchy.  Travelling independently, often though inhospitable and remote regions, she discovered the joy of writing and photography through the production of a blog and a comprehensive website that proved to be an invaluable planning resource for fellow over-land travellers.

Lt Col Taniya Morris, part of the extended Spectra Group marketing team

Now combining work as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves with working at Chamois as principal consultant in PR & Media, Taniya is in the enviable position of being able to combine her depth of military operational and technical knowledge with her passion for communication.

Spectra Group is sponsoring the 2020 Women In Defence Annual Conference as part of its ongoing commitment to support the armed forces community.

 

 

Jody Jones Wins Soldiering On Awards Sporting Excellence Award – Sponsored by Spectra Group

We are delighted to announce that Jody Jones has won the Sporting Excellence Award, sponsored by the Spectra Group.

The Sporting Excellence Award honours a person or team that has overcome challenges, inspired others, and demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of sport. Spectra Group is proud to continue to support the Soldiering On Awards and the fantastic 2020 Finalists. The standard of nominees was again extremely high this year, and to be selected as a finalist is a tremendous achievement of which they should all be incredibly proud. It is the 10th year of these awards, and we are honoured to have been here since the beginning. All the finalists are real role models, not just for the Armed Forces community, but for the country as a whole.

After her diagnosis of stage 4 bowel cancer, the incredible Jody swam the English Channel, raising £11,000 for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans. After 2,000 km of training followed seven surgeries, 21 infusions chemotherapy; Jody swam the 21 miles unaided in 18 hours, 14 minutes and 30 seconds, contending with strong currents, jellyfish and large ships.

Jody Jones wins SOA2020 Sporting Excellence Award sponsored by Spectra Group

Successful businesswoman, Veteran’s wife and mother to two young children, Jody Jones volunteers as the Chair of the North London Military Wives Choir. Jody’s drive and determination encompass everything it takes to be both a great sporting champion and a vital member of the Armed Forces community.

 

Our other finalists were:

Michael Lewis, finalist in the 2020 Soldiering On Awards Sporting Excellence Category, sponsored by Spectra Group

Michael Lewis – after suffering a below knee amputation, Mike was determined to compete in mainstream sports, competing in numerous mud runs, a half marathon, three boxing matches and a car rally. Mike is a community fundraiser for the Royal British Legion.

 

 

James Rose, finalist in the 2020 Soldiering On Awards Sporting Excellence Category, sponsored by Spectra Group

James Rose – Despite losing both legs above the knee and with a history of PTSD and depression, James successfully won medals in the Invictus games, and set the record for becoming the first unaided double amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

 

Lt Colonel Ren Kapur MBE, CEO of X-Forces Enterprise and Co-Chair of the Soldiering On Awards said: “The selfless dedication of our winners is both humbling and inspirational. It is so special to share these moments of celebration, not just with the winners but with all of the finalists.

“We couldn’t do this without the continued support of our sponsors, who have stood by us, and our finalists through challenging and uncertain times. Our growing community is stronger than ever.”