Brigadier Frank Steer (ret'd), Head of Supply during first Gulf War and published author on logistic support
News topic: MP questions Hoon over Crash; Equipping Armed Forces; Hoon Accused of neglecting duty. (source: BBC Website)
Frank Steer, former Brigadier and Director of Army Equipment Support, is a military logistician with 34 years experience worldwide supplying troops on operations. Closely involved in mounting the Falklands War, the GI/G4 for the British Force in Beirut, Commander Supply in Berlin and Commander Supply in the Gulf War, he has extensive experience of supporting Armed Forces at war and in peace. Commenting on the topic which recently hit news headlines, he said,
"There are a number of reasons behind the problem, but key among these are appalling logistics communications, hence the manpower intensive nature of everything they do, coupled with cost cutting exercises that address the balance sheet much more assiduously than they address the needs of the end user."
Frank spent three years as the Head of Spares Purchasing during which time he raised spares availability to record levels and made great strides in linking commercial priorities with military requirements. Topics on which he may be able to offer guidance include:
- Understanding how military operations and commercial logistics differ
- Managing the risks in military logistics
- How new technologies will impact the military logistics environment
- Partnering between defence and industry to increase capability and readiness
- Adopting commercial strategies to re-engineer military logistics
- Contract management: aligning business goals and objectives
- Building trust between the industry and defence
- Establishing basic principles and guidelines for commercial involvement
Notes to the Editor
Frank published his first book in October 2000, on logistic support at the battle of Arnhem in September 1944, and since others have followed. His career has taken him around the world on a wide variety of appointments and challenges. In addition to a stint as corporate planner for a £1 billion business, he has seen military service in Saudi Arabia, Beirut, Cyprus, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, and Germany.
He joined the Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA) as its Director General in November 1999 following a successful military career. Since being appointed at the IQA, he has been made the President of the European Organisation for Quality (EOQ), and other organisations that he is actively involved with are:
- member of the Council of London region of the CBI
- member of the Advisory Board of Society of International Logistics Engineers
- member if the International Society Logistics
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute Purchasing and Supply
- Institute of Logistics and Transport
- Member of the City & Guilds Institute; awarded for work in the design and use of logistics vehicles
Frank has also published articles on a number of quality magazines and lectures regularly at colleges, seminars and conferences, nationally and internationally on topics about quality, logistics, military history and leadership.
For further information please contact:
Frank Steer
Director General
Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA)
12 Grosvenor Crescent
London SW1X 7EE
Tel: 0207 245 6722
Email: fsteer@iqa.org
www.frank-steer.com
Ambica Mehta
IQA Marketing Manager
12 Grosvenor Crescent
London SW1X 7EE
Tel: +44 (0) 207 245 6722
Fax: +44 (0) 207 245 6788
Email: amehta@iqa.org
Ends
Date of issue: 21 January 2004