Summary

Overview

Work history

Education

Skills

Affiliations

Accomplishments

Timeline

Craig JM Aitken

Ely,Cambridgeshire

Summary

Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in team leadership and personnel management, strategic planning, and operational delivery. Demonstrates a strong ability to engage stakeholders effectively while excelling in training and development, crisis management, and risk assessment. Proficient in engineering and project management, infrastructure and construction management, as well as asset and facilities management. Skilled in logistics coordination, health and safety compliance, HR and staff management, procurement, resource forecasting, and operational improvement. Committed to driving organisational success through innovative solutions and strategic initiatives.

Overview

years of professional experience

years of post-secondary education

Work history

Asset Manager / Engineer

SOL Golf Construction

Montaione, Province of Florence

2025.08 - Current

Involved in multi-million pound Golf course construction project
Responsible for asset management, machinery planning, and operational engineering support.
Forecasting machinery repairs and operational downtime.
Managing procurement and purchasing of new equipment.
Resource planning and operational efficiency management.
Supporting engineering and construction activities across the project
Managing Health & Safety of the organisation
Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Director / Engineering Business Owner

Engineering Business

Scotland

2022.01 - 2025.09

Founded and managed an engineering business overseeing operational, commercial, and staffing functions. Specialising in agricultural engineering.
Managed 8 staff.
Oversaw project supervision, operational planning, HR, and finance.
Coordinated project delivery and client engagement.
Managed budgets, scheduling, procurement, and business operations.
Initiated business development activities, expanded client base.
Enforced compliance measures for adherence to industry standards.

UK Headquarters Planning Team (Secondment)

Military of Defence (MOD)

Aldershot, Hampshire

2021.06 - 2022.01

Worked within UK military headquarters planning operations and national event coordination.
Supported planning and coordination for, The Queen’s Funeral, COP26 and the Afghanistan Evacuation Operation
Contributed to strategic operational planning and inter-agency coordination.
Worked in high-pressure environments requiring discretion, adaptability, and rapid decision-making.
Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.

Recruitment & Engagement Lead

MOD

Chatham, Kent

2020.01 - 2021.06

Led Royal Engineers recruitment initiatives and stakeholder engagement programmes.
Developed and delivered school engagement and education programmes.
Introduced female networking and mentorship initiatives to improve diversity and recruitment outcomes.
Collaborated with civilian organisations to improve training pipelines and reduce recruitment waiting times.
Managed recruitment events, candidate engagement visits, and online learning initiatives.

Squadron Second-in-Command / Executive Officer (Captain)

MOD

Paderborn, Germany

2017.03 - 2020.01

Acted as senior operational manager and chief of staff for a 130-person squadron, overseeing logistics, personnel, administration, and operational readiness.
Coordinated logistics, training, and administration for a high-readiness operational unit.
Managed career development, welfare, and training compliance for 100+ personnel.
Implemented operational improvements and risk management processes, achieving full compliance with safety regulations.
Improved logistics efficiency and resource allocation across the squadron.
Supported multinational NATO battlegroup operations in Estonia and the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF).
Mentored junior personnel and contributed to leadership development programmes.
Provided supportive leadership during periods of organisational change.
Managed large-scale projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.

Training Officer (Captain)

MOD

2016.06 - 2017.03

Managed training coordination and operational readiness for a squadron of 130 personnel.
Ensured smooth running of apprenticeship schemes, providing necessary support throughout the term.
Prepared and coordinated deployment activities for operations in Estonia.
Delivered route upgrade works and battlefield defensive infrastructure projects.
Played a key role in establishing the first battlegroup deployment to the operational theatre.
Maintained detailed records of all trainings conducted, facilitating accurate tracking of progress.
Identified gaps in staff knowledge, creating targeted interventions for resolution.

Troop Commander / Project Manager

MOD

Kinloss , Moray

2014.04 - 2016.06

Led a team of 30 artisan tradesmen delivering engineering and infrastructure projects in operational environments.
Deployed to Sierra Leone supporting the Ebola crisis response, managed the construction of hospitals and medical infrastructure.
Managed the construction of a community centre project in Kenya.
Maintained troop readiness at 48-hours’ notice for rapid operational deployment.
Oversaw workforce planning, project delivery, logistics, and operational safety.
Planned and executed a promotion course for 45 soldiers over 6 weeks. Teaching and testing leadership abilites.

Education

BSc - Construction Management

University of Northumbria

Newcastle

2009.09 - 2012.09

PMP - Project Management Professional

Project Management Institute

Chatham

2021.01 - 2021.01

Commissioned Officer - Leadership and Mangement

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Camberley

2012.09 - 2013.08

Royal Engineers Troop Commanders Course - Construction Management

Royal Military School of Engineering