Part of the Intelligence Corps Association

Our Team

The people behind The ROSE Network.

Stephen James — Chairman, ICA ROSE Network

Stephen James

BA (Hons), QTS, FRSA

Chairman, ICA ROSE Network

Intelligence Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Stephen leads The ROSE Network with a clear mandate: to ensure that every member of the Corps family has access to the professional support, connections, and opportunities they deserve.

Stephen served in the Intelligence Corps, British Army (Regular), deploying operationally to Afghanistan as an Operator Military Intelligence (OPMI). His service developed the analytical judgement, structured reporting discipline, and leadership under pressure that continue to shape his approach to every role he holds.

That experience grounds his understanding of what the Corps family faces during transition — and afterwards. It is why The ROSE Network exists: not as a talking shop, but as a practical, trusted resource built by people who understand the landscape.

Beyond his military career, Stephen has built and led organisations across education, digital strategy, and veteran enterprise.

Hermes Digital UK

Founder & CEO

Strategic communications and reputational advisory for senior executives, professional athletes, ministers, and high-net-worth individuals.

Social Media for Schools UK

Founder & CEO

Structured digital governance frameworks adopted by over 500 schools nationally, supporting safeguarding and professional-conduct standards.

British Veteran Owned

Founder & Chairman

National non-profit supporting over 400 veteran-led businesses with credible, sustainable enterprise infrastructure.

Education & Recognition

  • BA (Hons)
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) — in progress
  • Kent Teacher of the Year (2018, 2021)
  • Specialist Leader of Education (Mathematics)
  • NCETM Professional Development Lead

Civic & Governance

  • Kent Regional Secretary — Intelligence Corps Association
  • Former Member, South East Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committee (Cabinet Office appointment)
  • Former Treasurer — Royal British Legion
  • Former Parliamentary Candidate (2024)

Operational Support

Hazel Donald — Business Support & Membership Secretary

Hazel Donald

Business Support & Membership Secretary

Hazel, an ex-Royal Air Force Aircraft Engineer, has been a civil servant for 25 years and part of the Intelligence Corps Association for six years, with 15 years of service to the Intelligence Corps in total. Her previous roles include Mess Bills Clerk, Officers Mess Silver Service Waitress, and Registry Clerk with the RAF Provost and Security Services.

Get Involved

Whether you're preparing for transition, looking to contribute as a Networker, or exploring how your organisation can engage with the Intelligence Corps community.

ICA Team

The wider Intelligence Corps Association team, who keep the organisation running from Headquarters ICA at Chicksands.

Lt Col (Retd) Sam Southam — Corps Secretary

Lt Col (Retd) Sam Southam

Corps Secretary

Sam served for 35 years in the Intelligence Corps, passing out with Squad 86 in 1981 and signing off as Corps Chief of Staff in 2015. He assumed the position of Corps Secretary in October 2016 and maintains it is the best job he has had with the Corps. Married to Jane with three grown-up daughters, he lives close to Chicksands.

Adam Birch — Business Manager

Adam Birch

Business Manager

Adam joined the Civil Service in January 2020 following an apprenticeship in Human Resources, where he completed his Level 4 BTEC and NVQ. His first appointment was with the Course Administration Department at Chicksands before promoting into the Intelligence Corps Association in September 2021.

John Moses — ICA Support

John Moses

ICA Support (Part-time)

John is a former Intelligence Corps soldier of 24 years, passing out with Squad 119 in 1988 at Ashford and finishing as a Company Sergeant Major at Chicksands. Since leaving the Corps in 2012, he has been an active member of the local Royal British Legion as Parade Marshal and is the lead historical WW1 soldier researcher for the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum.

Reverend Clive Larrett — Honorary Corps Padre

Reverend Clive Larrett

Honorary Corps Padre

Padre Larrett served in the Rhodesian Light Infantry and the Selous Scouts before becoming an ordained Methodist minister and Armed Forces Chaplain. He became Padre at Chicksands in 2007 and was invited to become the Honorary Intelligence Corps Chaplain in 2008. Although he retired from Chicksands in 2021, Clive remains in role and is a member of the Corps Council.