Unparalleled depth
of experience and commitment

A former Royal Air Force Engineering Officer, Paul has specialised in complex systems safety for more than 20 years and has held board-level positions, with overall responsibility for technical governance, assurance and competence, since 2010.

Paul founded SQEP in 2014, with the single aim of providing uniquely capable expertise, to the delivery of capability and protection, for those who put themselves in harm’s way on the front line.

Paul has a Bachelors Degree in Aeromechanical Systems Engineering from Cranfield University and a Masters Degree in Safety Critical Systems Engineering from the University of York.  He is a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Safety and Reliability Society.

In addition to his work at SQEP, Paul is the Wiltshire County Chairman for the Royal British Legion, providing support to 47 branches across the County and he worked as a Volunteer Vaccinator during the COVID-19 pandemic.  He has been a previous Chairman of the Safety and Reliability Society and a Foundation Governor for 2 primary schools.  He enjoys learning new skills, giving back and supporting others.

Jim is SQEP’s Systems Safety Director and a former Royal Air Force Engineering Officer with a background in the hazardous fast jet and weapons environment.

His Masters Degree in Safety Critical Systems Engineering culminated with his presenting research into the classification and assessment of Safety Related Information Systems. For over 15 years he has specialised in safety and airworthiness engineering, management and independent audit and evaluation, within a number of diverse domains including fixed and rotary wing aviation, weapons, ISTAR, autonomy, protective clothing, hydrogen fuel cells, armoured vehicles and software.

During his time with a global electronics manufacturer, Jim specialised in product and functional safety, compliance to EU legislation and CE Marking. Recently Jim provided Independent Safety Auditing services for the UK Ministry of Defence’s suite of future armoured fighting vehicles and has been supporting a global aviation manufacturer to improve its management of airworthiness.

Jim is also adept at the construction and delivery of safety training courses, providing courses on functional safety, risk identification and assessment, safety management, and specialist risk management training.

Ross is SQEP’s Airworthiness and Certification Director.  Ross’ extensive experience is a culmination of 23 years of service with the RAF as a Senior AeroSystems Engineering Officer and as a senior engineer and programme manager in the Defence Industry.

Within the RAF Ross gained considerable front line experience which was focused on delivering operational capability to every corner of the World.  The pinnacle of Ross’ service career, saw him promoted to Group Captain and accepting the role, within DE&S, as the Type Airworthiness Authority and Platform Delivery Team Leader for the Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopter. During this time he not only supported the heavily committed operational fleet but also delivered, into service, additional capability through major modifications to the in-service fleet as well as delivering new build aircraft to expand the fleet.

Ross has a wealth of experience and expertise of establishing, managing and sustaining airworthiness of military aircraft. After leaving the RAF, Ross was Chief Engineer and then Programme Director for a UK-based aerospace and defence engineering and manufacturing company, which is a subsidiary of a global defence contractor. This role broadened his knowledge and experience working across the Air and Land domains.

Sarah is a Management Accountant with previous experience working in banking, accountancy practices and for W H Smith.  She has more than 15 years’ experience with Sage accounting software and experience of operating as a freelancer supporting a number of local businesses in and around her hometown.

Sarah lies at the heart of SQEP having been part of its formation in 2014, setting up and running the accountancy side of the business, ensuring that it was scalable from start-up to present size.  Sarah has played a pivotal role in moving the business from wholly associate based to mainly employee based, handling the implementation of salary payments, pensions and all the other employee benefits.

The spouse of a former serviceman, Sarah understands first-hand the unique pressures felt by the Armed Forces community and, therefore, by many who work at SQEP.  Consequently she fully recognises SQEP’s mission, to support the delivery of capability and protection to the front line.

Outside of work, Sarah organises her local Poppy Appeal.  Since taking over in 2009, she has counted, weighed and banked almost £200,000.00 (mainly in small change!) for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.