Amanda McHenry

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Appointed to a force-wide strategic role supporting senior leadership to improve how organisational demand is understood, managed, and reduced, in response to external inspection findings
• Led the development and implementation of a structured approach to demand management, improving organisational efficiency, workforce sustainability, and service delivery
• Designed and introduced a formal governance framework to oversee demand, risk, and performance, enabling more informed and timely strategic decision-making

Policy Development & Influencing Change

• Developed and secured senior leadership approval for a revised multi-agency response model, ensuring individuals receive support from the most appropriate service at the earliest opportunity
• Authored strategic reports and recommendations, influencing senior decision-makers to adopt new approaches to service delivery and resource allocation
• Led the redesign of response processes for high-volume, complex demand areas, improving efficiency and reducing organisational risk

Partnerships & Cross-Sector Collaboration

• Built and managed relationships with internal departments and external partners including health services, local authorities, and other organisations to deliver coordinated, system-wide solutions
• Negotiated and influenced stakeholders where proposed changes impacted multiple organisations, ensuring alignment and shared ownership of outcomes
• Conducted national benchmarking and research to identify best practice and inform local strategy

Programme Delivery & Organisational Impact

• Led end-to-end delivery of strategic initiatives from concept through to implementation and evaluation, ensuring measurable outcomes and sustainable change
• Introduced a new triage and demand-routing model, ensuring individuals are directed to the most appropriate service, improving response times and outcomes
• Delivered tangible improvements including: Reduced demand on front line services
  Faster access to appropriate support for the public
  Improved organisational efficiency and risk management
  Enhanced service quality and public experience

Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Produced and delivered briefings to senior leadership, influencing decision-making at the highest level of the organisation
• Presented performance data and strategic insights within formal governance forums, supporting oversight of demand, risk, and organisational performance
• Played a key role in establishing governance structures that enable dynamic decision-making and continuous improvement

Leadership & Influence

• Led cross-functional collaboration without direct authority, coordinating stakeholders across multiple departments to deliver complex change
• Recognised for strong influencing, communication, and relationship-building skills across senior and operational levels

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement Operational Impact & Performance Leadership & People Development Representation & Community Engagement

Leadership & Strategic Delivery

• Lead aviation base operations within a national policing capability, with regional responsibility for the South East, ensuring safe, effective and intelligence-led deployment of assets
• Previously managed multi-site operations across two bases, overseeing c.20 personnel and delivering coordinated operational capability across locations
• Developed and successfully implemented a new proactive deployment model , securing approval from a Chief Constable and senior leadership, enabling autonomous decision-making and improving operational effectiveness
• Contribute to operational planning and lead resource allocation decisions, optimising aircraft utilisation to maximise impact and efficiency
• Build and maintain strong multi-agency partnerships across police forces, the RAF, fire services, and specialist rescue organisations to ensure coordinated operational delivery
• Act as the primary point of contact and representative for the base, engaging with stakeholders across all levels including Chief Officers, senior police leaders, and military personnel
• Delivered improved operational outcomes through earlier and more effective deployment of aviation assets, increasing positive incident resolutions
• Enhanced utilisation of aircraft hours by aligning deployment decisions with threat, risk, and value-based assessment
• Ensure high standards of safety, compliance, and governance within a high-risk operational environment
• Lead collaboration within complex and shared airspace environments, ensuring effective coordination with drones, military aircraft, and other airspace users
• Strengthened inter-agency collaboration through relationship-building and improved ways of working, enhancing joint operational outcomes
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of officers, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and professional standards
• Confidently manage performance, welfare, and personnel issues, maintaining team effectiveness and resilience
• Recognised for strong communication, influencing, and networking skills, building trust across teams and stakeholders
• Represent the organisation externally, acting as the face of the base in meetings, briefings, and stakeholder engagement
• Deliver regular briefings to senior leaders, providing operational insight and influencing decision-making
• Support community and youth engagement through hosting visits from cadet and youth groups, promoting awareness of policing and aviation capabilities

Strategic Leadership & Programme Delivery

• Served in senior volunteer leadership role within one of the largest cadet wings in UK, supporting training and development across 37 squadrons, 1,500+ cadets and 200+ adult volunteers
• As Wing Warrant Officer, worked alongside senior leadership to shape and deliver cadet and staff development programmes, ensuring consistency, quality, and progression across the organisation
• Led the planning and coordination of large-scale training activities, camps, and ceremonial events, ensuring safe, effective and high-quality delivery

Youth Development & Impact

• Delivered structured leadership training and mentoring to young people, supporting development of confidence, resilience, discipline, and teamwork
• Provided ongoing pastoral support to cadets from diverse backgrounds, including those with behavioural or personal challenges, supporting positive long-term outcomes
• Demonstrated sustained impact through improved cadet confidence, engagement, and retention, with individuals progressing into national leadership programmes and Armed Forces careers

Training, Standards & Capability Building

• Designed and delivered training frameworks for cadets and adult volunteers, including development of future instructors and succession planning
• Led on drill, discipline, and ceremonial standards, contributing to high-profile national and regional events
• Maintained high standards of safeguarding, welfare, and risk management across all activities

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Built strong links with RAF stations including Brize Norton, Odiham and Benson, supporting engagement between cadets and Armed Forces community
• Supported community outreach through public events, fundraising activities, and engagement initiatives to raise awareness of cadet opportunities
• Played an active role in remembrance activity, including parades and Poppy Appeal events, strengthening community connection and visibility

Insight, Influence & Leadership

• Bring deep, lived understanding of cadet and volunteer challenges, including recruitment, retention, and engagement across youth and adult volunteers
• Influenced culture, standards, and performance across the Wing, supporting both cadet development and volunteer capability
• Recognised for strong mentoring, communication, and leadership, contributing to a positive, inclusive and high-performing environment