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Captain Des Donworth

International

A Royal Navy officer sat with his armed crossed over a desk, with promotional banners for 'Strategic Leadership Programme' and 'International Group' in the background.
"The variety in my work keeps it endlessly engaging and fulfilling."

In a career that has spanned three decades in the Royal Navy, Captain Des Donworth now finds himself part of the Defence Academy.

Since 2023 Capt Donworth has led International Group, comprising the Defence Centre for Language and Culture, the Defence Attaché and Loan Service Centre, International Section, and Building Integrity UK.

It is a role that he recognises as constantly evolving, and one that rarely sees him in one place for very long. Deploying overseas, he contributes as a lecturer on the Strategic Leadership Programme in collaboration with academic partners from Cranfield University.

"Fundamentally, my job is to empower the talented professionals within the International Group to achieve the best outcomes with the people, time, and resources entrusted to us by defence.
While this might sound abstract, in practice, it’s incredibly dynamic. One moment, I might be checking a spreadsheet on the number of specialists required for an overseas training initiative. The next, I could be securing funding for contracted support at home, briefing prospective customers on our offerings, or checking our overseas students are being well looked after."

Whether training overseas or teaching English domestically, the relationships and goodwill the International Group team build for defence is, says Capt Donworth, invaluable:

"When I lecture to a room of 25 senior officers during an overseas course, the real impact often happens during coffee breaks where the Defence Attaché has the opportunity to become involved. This is where genuine connections are formed, and value is added for the UK.”

Following the ‘One Academy’ philosophy, Capt Donworth and his team are always on the lookout for opportunities to cooperate and add value to wider Defence Academy courses. Outside the group’s own course portfolio, they also prepare international students (for whom English is a second language) to undertake UK professional military education. This includes a 12-week programme for international course members preparing to join the Advanced Command and Staff Course.

"Like many in senior roles, I can’t—and shouldn’t—try to be everywhere at once. My approach is to set objectives, trust the excellent professionals I work with, and provide guidance as needed.
A light hand on the tiller as we say in the Navy."

After 33 years in the Royal Navy, his role as ‘Head of International Group’ at the Defence Academy is likely to be his final in uniform.

"Ending my service at an academic institution like this is something I never could have anticipated. My journey in the service has been nothing short of extraordinary, and this role might just be the fitting capstone to that adventure."
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