Operation Transition: Empowering skills for civilian success 

Explore the transition from military to civilian life in this transformative virtual conference, highlighting the unique strengths of the military community and offering actionable advice to help you thrive in new civilian career paths.  

What to expect 

The event will feature a panel of expert speakers and key topic areas, including:  

  • Maximising Your Transferrable Skills with Matt Spruce FIoL 

    • Learn how to identify, articulate, and leverage your military expertise in civilian settings while fostering a growth mindset through continuous learning. 

  • The Power of Wellbeing in Civilian Leadership with Becca Meadows MIoL 
    • Discover how resilience is your military superpower and how prioritising wellbeing can empower confident, effective leadership. 

  • Mission Culture: Adapting to Civilian Workplaces with Confidence with Chris Shaw FIoL 

    • Gain practical insights into navigating company culture, overcoming challenges, and building confidence in new professional environments. 

The conference will also include a panel discussion with all speakers, moderated by our hosts, where you’ll have the chance to ask your most pressing questions. 

Event Details 
  • Date: Monday 27 February  

  • Time: 17:00 – 18:45 GMT 

  • Location: Online via Zoom (you’ll receive a link to join upon registration) 

  • Cost: Free to attend  

 

Who is this event for?  
 

Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, in the early stages of your civilian career, or seeking to support someone on this journey, this event is for you.  

Please note this event is exclusive to members of The Institute of Leadership.  

Not a member yet? Military personnel are entitled to 18 months FREE membership during their transitioning period. Find out more about joining our vibrant military community here. 

 

How to attend 

Register now by clicking the link below. Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your Zoom link.  

Join with your camera on or off - this event is a relaxed and welcoming environment designed to support military professionals at all stages of their transition journey.  

Speakers

Becca Meadows

Becca Meadows

Physical Wellbeing and Leadership Consultant

Becca specialises in delivering bespoke leadership development and physical wellbeing training in workplaces alongside running a private clinic. As a registered nutritional therapist with 15 years experience  in the British Army, Becca has seen first hand the role that physical wellbeing, stress management and personal resilience play in overall performance and effective management of others, strongly believing that everyone can cultivate and develop greater professional and personal resilience with a strong foundation of physical wellbeing. Fascinated by the physiological impacts of chronic stress, Becca will take us through what stress is actually doing to our bodies, what we mean by resilience and then quickly move on to cover key practices and small changes you can all do to help support your nervous system and physical wellbeing to better prepare you for inevitable future stressors. The result is a confident and resilient leader, who feels ready to support themselves and lead others through change and crisis. 

Belinda O'Neill

Belinda O'Neill

Founder, Be Inspired To Be

Belinda O’Neill, lives in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, with her husband Peter and their son Leo.
She left her career as a Bank Manager in December 2021, working in the same bank for almost 25 years, taking a leap of faith and leaving that career in pursuit of her own entrepreneurial ambitions.

She is an Award winning, Best-selling Author, Speaker, Event Facilitator, Podcaster, Creator, Educator and the Founder of Be Inspired To Be®, recently trademarking her unique concept of Creatively Cleansing®.

She is a graduate of Ulster University, graduating in 2016. She is a Business and Community Ambassador, having held many voluntary roles, throughout her career. A former Chamber of Commerce President, a former Social Enterprise NI Awards Judge, a 2022 & 2023 Judge for the Lisburn Mayor’s Innovation Award and currently a Judge for the National Start Up Awards. She is a former Non-Executive Director with Stepping Stones NI and has recently graduated with a Practitioners Diploma in Executive Coaching with the Academy of Executive Coaching Ireland.

Clients include; The Department for the Economy NI, AJ Bell Ltd, Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon Council, Lisburn Castlereagh City Council, Citi Bank, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Armstrong Medical Ltd, Ulster University Alumni & Supporters, NI Principals Consortium, Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation, Loretto Grammar School, FPM Chartered Accountants, The Women’s Institute.. to name a few…

Her story and work has been featured on BBC Radio Ulster, U105, Cool FMs Business Bites, Dublin City Radio, Belfast Telegraph, Belfast Live, RSVP Live, Local Women’s Magazine and the Female Lead.
With charity close to her heart, she is an active fundraiser for cancer related charities, curating the annual ‘Ladies Charity Sparkling Afternoon Tea’ event, which to date has raised £23,000.

Bobby Davis

Bobby Davis

Coach, Consultant, Collaborator

Bobby Davis is a qualified executive and team coach with extensive experience in organisational development, business change (the people angle), human resources and personal leadership.
Her coaching experience is against a backdrop of 27 years working in managerial and human resources/OD roles in the British Army, Not for Profits, Professional Services and most recently with a private equity owned Hotel Group; 17 years of which have been at Director level and part of a C-suite team.
She has lead the People “strand” within large business transformation programmes, creating people strategies, internal coaching schemes and embedding strong performance cultures, as well as supporting at all levels of an organisation to implement effective change.
She is absolutely passionate in her pursuit to support, challenge and deliver sustainable change for individuals, teams and organisations, one person at a time if necessary!
Chris Shaw

Chris Shaw

Managing Director

Chris Shaw, Former Royal Marine turned Defence Business Development Manager will be discussing, Mission Culture: Adapting to new company cultures with confidence.

His own resettlement journey and leading the GenDitNetwork military support group on LinkedIn has positioned him well to offer guidance and advice to those who may need it.

Chris is also a Fellow to the Institute and received special recognition at the 2024 awards.

Matthew Spruce

Senior Agile Coach

A highly motivated and experienced Agile coach with extensive leadership experience gained from a successful career in HM Forces, Financial Services and now the UK Defence Industry.

Matthew has a passion for the professional development of his team, believing that when individuals achieve mastery in their craft, greater collective success follows. He shares and celebrates success and takes ownership of failure, which is what leaders do,

A skilled facilitator who likes to break down barriers and create a space for meaningful discussion. He recognises psychological safety is a key component of facilitation and not a switch that you can turn on or off. There are a number of quotes that Matthew can relate to, they are:

  • Sometimes its better to beg forgiveness than to ask in the first place. 
    • (Grace Hopper, US Navy)
  • A plan without action is not a plan, its a speech. 
    • (T. Boone Pickens)
  • Sweep the sheds (Never be to big to do the small stuff)
    • (James Kerr, Legacy)


Outside of work I am an average runner, an above average coffee drinker and a below average Podcast host.

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