Hollie Barnecut nominated for a Women in Defence UK 2026 Award
A warm congratulations to Hollie Barnecut, our HR administrator for revitalising our security training and making an excellent contribution to our business to the extent that she has been nominated for a Women In Defence UK 2026 Award.
This nomination reflects the significant impact of Hollie’s work in strengthening SMI’s security culture and cross‑team collaboration.
For more than 30 years, SMI has delivered pressure‑moulded cable systems that operate as the central nervous system of critical defence platforms, performing reliably in some of the world’s most hostile environments.
Hollie has designed and delivered a transformative programme of interactive security exercises to help engage staff in embracing the rigorous standards we uphold. Through ‑fun engagement formats such as Security Whodunnits and Escape Room simulations, Hollie has turned mandatory security training into a collaborative, cross‑departmental experience. These sessions bring together colleagues from all departments to debate, test, and solve real‑world security challenges – breaking down any potential silos and strengthening communication across the business. With whole company participation rate in Hollie’s sessions and staff remarking on the “fun, memorable format”, they are becoming a key driver of policy retention.
While the Women in Defence UK shortlist is still to come, Hollie’s nomination alone is a testament to her creativity, leadership, and commitment to strengthening SMI’s security posture. She has demonstrated that true resilience is not achieved through software or policy alone, but through the united, informed participation of a cohesive workforce.
At SMI, we believe capability is built by people. Hollie’s work exemplifies the values that underpin our long‑standing Ministry of Defence Capability Approval – held continuously for 30 years – and our reputation for delivering bespoke, high‑integrity solutions for the most demanding environments.
We congratulate Hollie on this well‑deserved nomination and look forward to the next stage of the Awards process.