User:ValFOBE/sandbox

Notable Alumni Dumbarton Academy

Valerie Ferguson OBE (ms Smith) - (generally known as Val), attended Dumbarton Academy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbarton_Academy from 1964 to 1970, where her father Charlie Smith was a teacher of Mathematics and Technical Subjects. She represented her school and the County of Dunbartonshire in Hockey, Netball, Athletics and Swimming. In 1972 she competed in the UK PE Universities and Colleges Swimming Championships in Bedford. Val graduated from Dunfermline College of Physical Education with Merit in Education in 1973.

Career

She was subsequently appointed as a PE teacher in Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh 1973-1975, the Holt School, Wokingham 1975-1977, the Corsham School, 1977-1982 and Head of Department in the Clarendon School, Trowbridge 1982-1983. She finished her teaching career as Head of Faculty in the British School in Riyadh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_International_School,_Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1983-1986; where she also worked as a swimming coach for the Saudi Royal Family.

After returning to the UK from Saudi Arabia, she joined the Ministry of Defence https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence in 1987 and was appointed to the Royal Navy Supply and Transport Service https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Naval_Supply_and_Transport_Service in Bath. Her career in various departments culminated in a Grade 6 appointment for the Chief of Material (Fleet) in Bath/Bristol and retirement from the MOD in 2012.

In her leading role in both Naval and Tri Service Support Chain Logistics Planning, Val was responsible for innovative work which led to the delivery of Joint business practices across the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force during Military Operations through the introduction of the Joint Demand Tracking System. She was also widely recognised for her significant input to the design of future Tri Service Capability.

Mrs Ferguson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Birthday_Honours by HM the Queen in the 2005 Birthday Honours, for services to the Ministry of Defence.

In 2007 Val received the prestigious award for the 'Best Business Improving Idea for Defence', which was presented jointly by the Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup and the Permanent Under Secretary of State for Defence, Sir Bill Jeffrey at The Imperial War Museum https://www.iwm.org.uk/.

Since retiring, Val has utilised her management skills by jointly running a local charity in the community of Bo'ness, Scotland where she is the Marketing Trustee for the Bo'ness & Area Community Bus Association http://www.bonesscommunitybus.scot. Following the loss of privately-operated Bus Services between Bo'ness and Edinburgh, a small group of volunteers set up the charity and formed their own scheduled Bus Service, to enable continued links with the Capital city for people in all age groups in the community. The route also supports tourism to the area by enabling residents in Edinburgh and visitors to the city, to access the many attractions in and around Bo'ness through public transport; thereby assisting local businesses.