Roo Haywood Smith
Strategy and Security Institute Manager
Roo was commissioned into the Women’s Royal Army Corps in 1991, and transferred to the Adjutant’s General Corps on its formation in 1992. She spent five years in Germany working with a number of Regiments, including the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, deployed with them to Bosnia in 1994, and spent a year on attachment to a German Armoured Infantry Battalion in Koblenz.
On returning to the UK she was Aide de Camp to General Sir Michael Rose, then Adjutant General, before doing the Army Pilots Course at Middle Wallop. Upon completion of pilot training she deployed to Northern Ireland, flying first the Gazelle and subsequently the Lynx in a Counter-Terrorist role.
After her time in Northern Ireland, Roo undertook several staff roles including Protocol Officer at Director Army Aviation in Middle Wallop, and Budget and Management Planner at the Defence Aviation Safety Centre at RAF Bentley Priory. In 2004 Roo left the Army Air Corps as a Major and moved to Devon.
Since leaving the Army, Roo has been involved with a village Community Shop Project which has resulted in a vibrant village shop, with 40 volunteers and a £120k annual turnover.
She joined the University in February this year and is responsible for ensuring effective, coherent management of the Strategy and Security Institute.
