Honorary graduates 2017

Lieutenant Colonel Lucy Giles

Monday 17 July 2017 11:45am

Lieutenant Colonel Lucy Giles is the first female College Commander in The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst's 200 year history. As New College Commander, Lucy oversees the leadership development of officer cadets on the Regular Commissioning Course through a programme of academic study, military exercises and physical training.

Lucy joined the Army in 1992 after studying Biology at Exeter and enjoying University Officer Training Corps. Early regimental duty included a year in Germany, followed by tours of Bosnia and in South Africa. On gaining her majority, she was posted to 5 Airborne Brigade with tours to East Timor, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia again. Lucy commanded 47 Air Despatch Squadron Royal Logistic Corps enabling operations in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining Headquarters Directorate Royal Logistic Corps. This was followed by another command tour at a training regiment and a teaching appointment at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. She gained her Masters in Military Studies with Cranfield University and her PGCE with the University of Southampton.

At the inaugural Women in Defence event, Lucy was given the Inspirational Award and the Woman of the Year 2016 Award. She is an ambassador for First Women UK and was in the Times 500 People of Influence 2016.

She is married to Nick Pond who is an alumnus of Exeter (Economics 1993). They have a daughter, Jessica and a son, Alexander. Lucy enjoys a bit of drama (the theatrical kind) and is a leader with Girl Guides. She also coaches orienteering and competes at UK Armed Forces level.