About Us

Lynette Hussey

Managing Director

Lynette studied Psychology and Politics at the University of Bath, followed by postgraduate training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the University of Oxford. Her academic background, combined with experience gained by working across different business functions, sparked a deep interest in Business Psychology, blending insights into human behaviour with practical workplace application. This foundation continues to inform her approach at AACE, where she brings an appreciation of institutional dynamics and focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Lynette has been Managing Director of AACE since 2019, leading the company through successful change programmes, that have resulted in profitable growth, enhanced agility and performance. Her leadership has enabled AACE to diversify into new business areas and maintain its position at the forefront of a competitive industry.

As the daughter of AACE’s founder, Rick Hussey, Lynette is passionate about driving the business forward while upholding the values on which it was built – delivering excellence to our customers and fostering a strong, collaborative culture across the team.

Darren Minty

Technical Director

Darren is a former Royal Navy Marine Engineer Officer with a 14 year military career focused on seagoing operational engineering which saw him serve in a range of platforms including three aircraft carriers and two Type 45 destroyers. In addition he gained a breadth of DE&S safety and engineering experience in-service project teams supporting in service equipment and procuring new equipment, in Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) within the Chief Staff Officer Engineering (CSO(E)) team and within the Ships Acquisition, Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) and Strategic Class Authority (SCA) for the Transition into Service phase of a ship’s lifecycle.

Darren commenced his safety engineering consultancy career in 2018 where he led the Dreadnought legislation compliance team supporting the legally compliant import of systems and equipment working across multiple Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) and Industry Partners both nationally and internationally.  In addition to a specialisation in legislation and regulation compliance he supported the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to develop a safety management system to achieve compliance with DSA02-DMR.  He joined AACE in 2022 as the Maritime Safety and Engineering Operations Manager where he grew, led and managed a team of maritime safety and engineering professionals. His safety engineering experience further developed by leading the development of a legislation compliance management system for the SDA as well as project specific legislation compliance support into the Dreadnought Alliance and the P8-A programme.

Darren is a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), holds a MEng in Mechanical Engineering and a MSc in Strategic Risk and Leadership and is a qualified lead auditor of maritime safety systems (ISM Code).

Malcom Toy

Non-Executive Director

Malcolm Toy is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. He brings a wealth of expertise in acquisition, airworthiness, certification, safety regulation, and leadership in delivering capital projects (up to and including the Government Major Projects Portfolio level), including the fastest procurement ever of a new-build military helicopter.

He sat on the Royal Navy Engineering Board for 6 years whilst serving as the Chief Air Engineer for the Royal Navy, and contributed to three strategic defence reviews. His final Naval appointment was as Deputy Director General of the Defence Safety Authority and Technical Director of the Military Aviation Authority.

Most recently, he served as a Special Advisor at Leonardo Helicopters, supporting future-focused initiatives including Remotely Piloted Air Systems, the New Medium Helicopter programme and export programmes.

Matt Read

Air Safety & Engineering Operations Manager

Matt is a professionally recognised Chartered Engineer with a background as a Royal Navy Air Engineering Officer, bringing extensive experience in leading multidisciplinary teams across a range of technical and non-technical roles.

He is a qualified DE&S System Safety Practitioner with a strong foundation in Regulation, System Safety, and Airworthiness, and is committed to delivering safe, efficient, compliant, and high-quality engineering outcomes. During his time in the Royal Navy, Matt held multiple roles focused on Ship Air Integration, safety-related software, Rotary Wing aviation, and the integration of Air and Maritime operations, including work with Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS). He also worked at the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) as a Desk Officer within the Regulations Division, contributing to the development and maintenance of aviation regulatory policy.

After leaving the Navy, he joined the Civil Service as Deputy Chief Engineer on the Future Tactical UAS (Peregrine) project, leading engineering efforts from contract award for the first Rotary Wing UAS integration onto a Royal Navy warship.

In April 2024, Matt joined AACE as a Senior Safety Engineer. Following a six-month contract as a Safety Manager in the Weapons Operating Centre, he took on the role of Air Safety Deputy Team Leader and is now serving as the Air Safety Operations Manager. A dedicated family man living in Norfolk, Matt values a healthy work/life balance, which was a key factor in his decision to join AACE.

Josh Hind

Land Safety & Engineering Operations Manager

Josh is an Incorporated Engineer (IMechE) specialising in safety and environmental assurance across defence platforms. He has extensive experience delivering complete suites of safety artefacts for both land and maritime systems, in accordance with DEFSTAN 00-056, POSMS, and POEMS.

Since joining AACE in Jan 24, Josh has led the development of safety cases for multiple equipment groups under Project MITER, supporting the assurance of more than 4,000 MOD COTS and MOTS assets. He has also delivered maritime safety engineering for submarine control systems, military logistics vehicles, and explosive vapour detection equipment, ensuring compliance with UK safety standards. Additionally, he has developed safety artefacts for foreign naval clients, aligned with international standards.

Josh’s technical work is grounded in a Royal Navy career where he led engineering departments on major warships, managed complex maintenance and docking periods, and introduced new training and assurance frameworks to improve safety and performance.

In addition to his technical responsibilities, Josh plays a key role in AACE’s broader business operations. He leads bid management activity, supports various strategic business functions, and contributes to internal process improvement, helping to strengthen the company’s delivery model and expand its footprint across defence domains.

James Russell

Technical Publications Operations Manager

James is an experienced Senior Technical Author and Deputy Operations Manager at AACE, with over 18 years of experience in Aerospace, Marine, Oil and Gas, and Land Defence sectors. He specialises in the creation and management of Army Equipment Support Publications (AESPs), Air Publications (APs), and a wide range of technical documentation to Def Stan and S1000D standards.

James joined AACE in July 2021 as a part-time associate and later joined full-time as an associate in November 2022. Following a successful period, delivering a range of documentation to several important customers, James joined AACE on a permanent basis in June 2024 as the Deputy Operations Manager for the Tech Pubs team. At AACE, James manages a team of technical authors, illustrators, and word experts, ensuring the delivery of high-quality publications that meet exacting customer requirements. He is also responsible for overseeing project schedules, quality assurance, and client engagement.

Beyond his professional role, James is a keen sportsman and para-adventurer, competing in open water swimming events, coaching youth rugby, and previously racing with the disabled motorsport team, Team Brit. He is also an ambassador for the Level Water charity, supporting disabled children in learning to swim.

Matt Laverton

Integrated Logistic Support Operations Manager

Matt joined AACE in Feb 2009 having served in the Army for 31 years in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) as an Aircraft Technician / Aircraft Engineer, starting as an Army Apprentice and leaving the service as a Major, through Late Entry Commission.

In the 16+ years with AACE, Matt has provided Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) consultancy to the DE&S Chinook (CH) Project Team on several high profile projects such as the CH Mk3 Reversion (Mk3 R) Programme and the Digital Cockpit Design System/Mission Avionic System (CDS/MAS) upgrade, known as Project JULIUS, for the CH Mk2/2A and Mk 3 R conversions to CH Mk4 and CH Mk5 respectively. From Sep 2016 to present date Matt has been the Commercial Manager / Director and currently holds the posts of Operations Manager Contractsand ILS Operations Manager.

Tim Wong

Maritime Safety & Engineering Deputy Operations Manager

Tim Wong is a Chartered Engineer with a multidisciplinary background in nuclear and defence engineering. He has extensive experience in safety certification, hazard management and material state assurance, with a specialist focus on submarines and complex maritime platforms.

He joined AACE in 2023 and currently serves as Deputy Operations Manager for the Maritime Team. In this role, he supports technical delivery across a range of MOD programmes while contributing to leadership activities such as safety engineering forums, team development, and strategic risk planning. He has been instrumental in delivering safety certification support as part of the AUKUS programme and played a key role in the development of the SDA’s Safety and Environmental Management System.

Previously embedded within the Naval Authority Certification Management Team, he redeveloped a standardised approach to certification strategies, authored certification processes and supported the governance framework. He has delivered safety artefacts for in-service submarines, supported sea clearance processes, and facilitated HAZID activities alongside Design Authorities—ensuring robust ALARP justifications and continuous hazard review.

Prior to joining AACE, he held engineering roles at Babcock and EDF Energy, supporting submarine decommissioning safety cases, high-level hazard reviews, and preventative maintenance strategies at Hinkley Point C. He holds an MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering and is qualified in ISO9001 auditing and project management.

Shannon West

Land Safety & Engineering Deputy Operations Manager

Shannon is an experienced senior safety engineer specialising in safety assurance across defence and commercial platforms. She brings extensive experience delivering safety assurance, regulatory compliance, and through‑life risk management for complex land systems, including construction equipment, protected plant, and MHE platforms.

Since joining AACE in 2025, Shannon has led system safety assurance activities for multiple equipment groups under Project MITER, supporting the assurance of more than 4,000 MOD COTS and MOTS assets. Her work includes developing safety artefacts, structured safety arguments, hazard identification, hazard log management, and evidence‑based safety justifications in accordance with DEFSTAN 00‑056, ASEMS, POSMS, and wider MOD safety governance frameworks, enabling certification, integration, and safe through‑life management of land systems.

Shannon’s technical capability is grounded in a 12‑year career in military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, where she operated UAS systems globally, analysed complex information, and supported mission‑critical decision‑making in high‑pressure environments. Following her military service, she served as a police response officer, further strengthening her ability to assess and manage risk in dynamic and complex situations.

In addition to her technical responsibilities, Shannon plays an active role in coaching and mentoring junior engineers, supporting their development of professional judgement and confidence within a rapidly evolving industry.

Beyond her professional role, Shannon is a keen sportswoman with a particular passion for Nordic skiing, having competed for the Royal Artillery across several seasons.

Shaun King

Air Safety & Engineering Deputy Operations Manager

Shaun King is a Senior Safety Engineer at AACE Ltd, bringing over 20 years of experience in airworthiness and safety management across military aviation platforms. A Royal Navy–trained Helicopter Engineer and DE&S-qualified System Safety Practitioner, Shaun has successfully led safety programmes for platforms including Chinook, Wildcat, and Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS).

His expertise encompasses system safety strategy and management, hazard analysis, and regulatory compliance within both MAA and DE&S frameworks. Shaun holds a BA (Hons) in Business and Management, is an Incorporated Engineer through the Royal Aeronautical Society, and a member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.

Recognised for his proactive leadership, technical depth, and collaborative approach, Shaun is committed to delivering safe, airworthy, and mission-ready defence capabilities.

Colin Barnett

Senior Safety Engineer

Colin is a highly qualified Safety Engineer with 19 years of experience in Land and Air environments both in the Defence domain and in industrial applications.

He served 27 years as an engineer in the RAF in various roles including working on fast jet avionics, missiles and missile control systems.

On leaving the RAF in 2006, he became a defence contractor specialising in Safety Critical Systems Engineering, achieving an MSc from the prestigious University of York. He is a Chartered Engineer and Member of IET.

He has worked in Land and Air environments both with the MOD and Defence Contractors on multiple vehicle and aircraft systems from projects in the Concept, Assessment and Demonstration phases conducting Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments, to introduction to service and continuing in service safety assessments including Asset Replacement and Service Life Extension Programmes.

He gained industry experience at JCB as the Principal Functional Safety Engineer for the Loadall division specialising in functional safety of the JCB machinery and became a TUV certified Electrical Functional Safety Engineer.

His wealth of experience, qualifications and thorough knowledge of MOD and industrial processes and constraints makes him an ideal Team Leader for large and complex tasks as demonstrated by his excellent leadership of the Safety and Environmental Team for the MITER Service Provision Contract providing more than 100 equipment types in a fleet of over 4,000 assets.