Nicky Moffat


Nicola Patricia Moffat, , known as Nicky Moffat, was the highest-ranking woman in the British Army from 2009 until her resignation in 2012. She is now a leadership consultant and speaker.

Life

Moffat graduated in 1985 with a B.A. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Liverpool, though has said that she "almost got booted out" for neglecting her studies in favour of the Officers' Training Corps' activities., and started her military training at RMAS in September 1985, graduating with SGC 853 in April 1986. In 1995 she gained an MA in Military Studies, Defence from Cranfield University.
She joined the then Women's Royal Army Corps after university, and stayed in the army 26 years, including a spell as military private secretary to Geoff Hoon while he was Minister of Defence. Her final posting before resigning was as Armed Forces head of pay and strategic manning at the Ministry of Defence. She took voluntary redundancy in 2012, saying "After a long and rewarding career, I am looking forward to new challenges, utilizing the wealth of experience the military has afforded me." Her resignation caused some surprise, as six months earlier she had given an interview enthusing about the army as a career for women. She has founded the What Good Leadership Looks Like consultancy, and appears as a speaker on awards panels.

Recognition

Moffat was appointed CBE in the 2012 New Year Honours, cited as "Late Adjutant General's Corps ".
She was selected as one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2014, cited as "Highest Ranked woman in British Armed Forces".