General Dame Sharon Nesmith, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and Master of Signals, joins us for the final episode of the ABF’s podcast, General Talk, to discuss her groundbreaking career in the British Army with host, Harry Bucknall.
General Dame Sharon Nesmith DCB ADC (Gen) commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1992. She was the first woman to command a brigade, and the first to command a divisional level formation. She became Deputy Chief of the General Staff in 2022 and was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in 2024.
In this episode of the ABF’s podcast, General Talk, Dame Sharon reflects on the balancing act of parenting while serving at the highest levels of military leadership. A sometimes hesitant role model, she is proud that her children view her job as normal, saying: “Why wouldn’t they have a mum that could have done all of that? It is definitely a thing to celebrate.”
The picture was very different in 1988 when Dame Sharon arrived at Sandhurst and a male-dominated environment. Then, opportunities for female officers were limited. Sharon admits that: “I’m almost slightly embarrassed when I describe the environment that I joined, which is so far removed from anything that we would think is acceptable today. But at that time, it didn’t feel that way. It never occurred to me that I couldn’t or shouldn’t do that because of my gender. I didn’t see the constraints, only the opportunity.”
A pivotal moment in Dame Sharon’s career was the adoption of her two sons. Taking adoption leave meant missing a key command course – and she was concerned that this would halt her progress. She recalls: “I had convinced myself that it wasn’t workable, that I wouldn’t get another opportunity.” Her senior officer’s reassurance helped her rethink this: ‘He said, “Of course it’s important that you take the time when you’re adopting your sons.” He reframed it in a way that no system policy could ever do.’
Such empathetic leadership, she tells Harry, is “one of the most important things we can do for our people. We are all about the team.”
Asked how she would increase recruitment, given plans to expand the Armed Forces, Dame Sharon stresses the need to attract a diverse talent pool and to connect with the public more effectively. Better storytelling “of what life in the Armed Forces means” is key. Until recently, national security was not high on the public’s agenda. But, she says: “That tide is turning. The world has got less certain and more disruptive, and our nation and Prime Minister have definitely recognised that challenge.”
Discussing her role in the government’s Strategic Defence Review, Dame Sharon is positive about working with tri-service colleagues and the external review team. She confirms that ‘NATO first’ remains a priority for defence policy and that there is work to be done on maximising resources. “That doesn’t necessarily mean NATO always, but we are safe through the alliance. Reform is a significant challenge. We need to reset how defence operates, so that we spend every single penny wisely, and more quickly on the things that we need, [so] that we’re one step ahead of our adversaries.”
Dame Sharon continues:
“Our Armed Forces are transforming, using military technology in a way that keeps us one step ahead, and that has innovation at its heart. All of that is very exciting for our service personnel.”
While some ‘soft barriers’ remain, Dame Sharon has seen a big shift in how the Army values its diverse workforce, saying: “There will always be more to do and parts that we need to do better, but I am very proud of the transformation that I see from the organisation that I joined, to the organisation that I serve in today.”
Sharing her advice to her younger self, Dame Sharon recommends reaching out to others who might be feeling the same anxieties as you progress, and to be comfortable in your own skin. She adds: “See the opportunity, not the barriers. And my last, is have fun!”
Dame Sharon concludes: “I have loved what I’ve done and I have been fortunate to have people that have helped me navigate the path. The reason that I’m still serving is because we still think we can make a difference, and I can make a difference being the Vice Chief.”
Thank you to General Dame Sharon Nesmith, and all our guests for joining us over the last five years on the ABF’s podcast, General Talk. Our host, Harry Bucknall will be back with the first of three special podcasts, to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, in May.