12/08/2026
38+ years in Defence. Countless colleagues mentored. One well-deserved Fellowship.
Ken Burrows, Lead of the The Chartered Quality Institute Defence Network and people coach at the NAD Group, has been awarded a Chartered Quality Professional Fellowship for his dedicated work in Defence. Alongside his career, Ken has volunteered his time championing quality, supporting people to succeed, and building inclusive, high-performing teams.
Along the way, he became increasingly focused on coaching and mentoring others at every grade, helping colleagues build confidence and thrive in their roles.
Ken reflects on his road to becoming a CQI Fellow and tells us what others can learn from his experiences 👇
🗣️ "Early in my career, I saw quality through a traditional lens – compliance, audits and procedures.
These remain important, but they are only part of the picture. Working across multiple defence organisations and complex programmes, I began to understand that genuine, sustainable improvement depends on something more fundamental: people.
When individuals are engaged, valued and empowered, quality improves naturally. This realisation marked a shift in my thinking, from seeing quality as process-driven to recognising it as fundamentally people-led."
🗣️ "Reflecting on my experience, there are several lessons that others in the profession may find useful:
1. Make quality everyone’s responsibility: quality should not sit with a single function. Engaging teams and making quality relevant to their role is critical to success.
2. Invest in people: systems and frameworks are important, but people make them work. Taking time to coach, support and listen will always pay dividends.
3. Embrace continual improvement: there is always a better way. Encouraging curiosity and learning from both success and failure creates a culture of progress.
4. Lead inclusively: diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making and drive innovation. Creating inclusive environments is not optional – it is essential.
5. Be authentic: leadership is not just about direction; it is about example. Demonstrating integrity, openness and consistency builds credibility and trust.
6. The power of volunteering: beyond my professional role, volunteering has been a constant feature of my life – for more than 30 years, across community groups and charities. Giving back has always been part of my journey.
More recently, I have had the privilege of contributing to, and leading, the CQI Defence Network.
This has allowed me to connect with professionals across sectors, share experiences and support the development of others.
Volunteering has provided opportunities to build meaningful relationships, broaden perspectives, develop leadership and communication skills, and contribute to something bigger than my day-to-day role. It has enriched my professional and personal development in ways I could not have anticipated.
If you are considering volunteering – within the CQI, your organisation or your wider community – my advice is simple: take the first step. You do not need to be an expert; you simply need a willingness to contribute and learn.
Volunteering helps with building your confidence and capability. It also expands your professional network, provides fresh insight and perspective, and enables you to make a meaningful difference.
In many cases, the benefits you gain are just as significant as the contributions you make. "
Congratulations to Ken on his fantastic achievement.👏
