'Outstanding' army officer scoops award

An army officer from Surrey has won a prestigious award for her work in cyber defence.

Capt Olivia Flaherty, of the Royal Corps of Signals, scooped the Engineer Officer of the Year at an Armed Forces award ceremony.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement she was nominated due to her "outstanding contribution to Western Europe's biggest cyber defence exercise to date".

The 31-year-old signaller was also recognised for her achievements in the New Year Honours List as she was appointed MBE.

Ms Flaherty, known as Liv, led 120 engineering specialists from across defence, industry and the UK's international partners during the Defence Cyber Marvel in February 2024 that developed responses to hacking scenarios.

Her work was recognised globally, including by NATO which asked her to brief on best practice, according to the MoD.

Ms Flaherty grew up in East Horsley and attended Howard of Effingham School in Leatherhead.

After graduating from the University of Leicester, she worked as a legal secretary, but said she decided to give army life a go before "getting too old".

Her grandfather served in the military during World War Two, said the MoD.

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