My pursuit of what's possible

I joined the Met Office in 2022, as a Commercial and Procurement Apprentice within the Grants team. Those two years were a fantastic learning experience, giving me a solid foundation in commercial processes and the confidence to take on new challenges.

After completing my apprenticeship, I applied for a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) role in the operational commercial team—and to my delight, I was successful. Moving into a new area meant learning the ropes all over again, but it also gave me the opportunity to broaden my skills and contribute to different types of projects.

Eighteen months into my HEO role, I was nominated for the Government Commercial Function’s Rising Star Award, which recognises individuals within their first five years in the profession, who have exceeded expectations and made a significant impact.

My nomination highlighted my work with the Marine Observations team and my role as an early adopter of the new Procurement Regulations introduced earlier this year. Out of more than 70 nominations, I was honoured to be shortlisted as one of the final four.

The awards ceremony in London was an incredible experience, I came a highly commended second and was presented the award by Government Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Forzani. I had the chance to celebrate alongside inspiring colleagues from across government.

This recognition means a lot to me. It reflects not only my own efforts but also the incredible support of my team, mentors and managers who have guided me along the way. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep developing my skills, embrace new challenges, and contribute to projects that help the Met Office deliver world-class services. I hope my journey shows what’s possible for anyone starting out in the profession—there’s so much opportunity to grow and make an impact. 

This blog was published in December 2025.