Debbie Boon, Head of Delivery, Defence Leadership Centre, The Defence Academy
Our people are the lifeblood of CSOC – a dedicated force of 26,000 specialists stationed at over 130 sites worldwide. From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our specialists are ready to fight across all domains to protect the UK.
Find out how our specialist operators are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see - or those you can’t.
The character of warfare continues to evolve rapidly. We face threats that are more serious and less predictable than at any time since the end of the Cold War. This demands a new approach to leadership development - one that prepares our people to out-think, out-pace, and out-fight our adversaries.
Our Head of Delivery at the Defence Leadership Centre (DLC), Debbie Boon, helps achieve this, shaping thousands of students each year to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Preparing leaders for an evolving battlefield
As Head of Delivery at the Defence Leadership Centre (DLC), I oversee programmes that shape over 3,500 students annually through blended learning, with our online platforms reaching a further 50,000 learners. This scale reflects the critical importance of developing leaders who can operate across all domains, keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad.
Innovation in leadership development
Our work centres on five key areas: Strategic Leadership, Leadership and Management, Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Mental Fitness and Resilience, and Human Security. Each programme connects directly to CSOC's (Cyber & Specialist Operations Command) mission of being "Always On" - ready to fight globally across all domains.
The Leadership Edge Programme exemplifies our forward-thinking approach. This initiative prepares defence leaders for evolving challenges, integrating cutting-edge research with practical application. The programme addresses the complex demands of modern warfare, where leaders must coordinate across multiple domains while maintaining the agility to adapt to emerging threats.
Supporting Defence’s strategic vision
The Defence Leadership Centre directly enables the Strategic Defence Review's vision across all of Defence. Our programmes develop leaders who can integrate specialist capabilities, coordinate with international partners, and maintain the high standards expected of the UK's defence professionals across the four Commands of Royal Navy, Army, RAF, and CSOC. From cyber domain operations to medical support, from intelligence analysis to international defence engagement, our graduates lead across every aspect of Defence operations.
Looking forward
Leadership development isn't just about guiding others - it's about enabling Defence transformation at the scale and pace that modern threats demand. The leaders we develop from across Defence, drive CSOC's contribution to the Integrated Force and ensure the UK remains secure at home and strong abroad.
Through innovative education, inclusive practices, and consistent professional development, we're building the leadership capability that keeps Britain and our allies safe. This is leadership development designed for the challenges of tomorrow, delivered by the specialists of today.
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