After Windermere, Ben went on to Durham University, where he studied Environmental Geoscience and completed a Master’s degree between 2009 and 2013. In 2015, he joined the Royal Navy, embarking on a career that would take him around the world and into some fascinating areas of military aviation and technology.

Ben trained as a helicopter Observer on the Merlin Mk2 – a role which combines navigation, radar and weapons expertise. The Merlin Mk2 is primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare, and Ben subsequently spent four years serving on a front-line Merlin squadron.

His career included deployments around the world, including supporting and protecting HMS Queen Elizabeth during the aircraft carrier's first operational deployment.

Following his time on the Merlin, Ben spent three years with 700X Naval Air Squadron, the Royal Navy's drone squadron. Initially, his role involved delivering drone training to Royal Marines and Royal Navy personnel. He then became involved in trials of the Royal Navy's first heavy-lift uncrewed aircraft, gaining experience at the forefront of emerging military technology.

More recently, Ben completed a further Master’s degree at the Defence Academy through Cranfield University. He has now joined the military staff delivering the same course, helping to train people who work at the interface between industry and the Ministry of Defence. His work focuses particularly on areas such as trials, capability development and procurement.

Keeping his sporting connections

Alongside his career, Ben has also continued with something he loved during his time at Windermere – hockey.

He played throughout his time at university and has since had the opportunity to represent both the Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces, continuing a sporting passion that began during his school days.

Giving back to Windermere

Despite now living in Cornwall and working in Shrivenham, near Swindon, Ben still has strong connections to Windermere, with his parents continuing to live locally. He makes it back to the area several times a year and would be delighted to reconnect with the school.

He is also keen to share his experiences with the next generation of Windermere pupils and would be very happy to return to school to speak about his career and experiences in the Royal Navy, aviation, drones, defence technology and engineering.

It is wonderful to hear how Ben's journey since leaving Windermere has taken him into such a varied and fascinating career – combining technology, adventure, service and his continued passion for sport.

Thank you, Ben, for getting back in touch and for sharing your story with the Stannites community. We would love to welcome you back to Windermere when you're next in the area!

Could you inspire the next generation?

Ben isn't the only Stannite with a story to share. Would any other Stannites like to come back to Windermere and talk to our pupils about their careers, experiences or journeys since leaving school?

It is always incredibly inspiring for our pupils to hear directly from former pupils and to discover the different paths their lives can take after Windermere.

Whether you work in business, the arts, sport, science, the military, medicine, education, technology or something completely different, we'd love to hear from you.

If you would be interested in coming back to school to speak to our pupils, please get in touch with the Stannites team. We'd be delighted to hear your story and explore how you might be able to inspire our current pupils.