Apply Now

Laurence Corbett

Joined 2018

Ronnie is the MPCT Regional Operations Manager for the North Region. Ronnie has been serving with MPCT since April 2018 and currently lives in Catterick Garrison North Yorkshire. Ronnie is currently responsible for Leading and Managing the Quality of Education across all four North East Colleges located at Newcastle, Bishop Auckland, South Shields and Teesside.

Ronnie leads and manages his region by ensuring that staff across his region are provided with outstanding training and education opportunities, whilst supporting them to grow and develop to become Outstanding Instructors. This ensures that all learners across the region receive the best possible educational experience whilst attending MPCT, leading to outstanding young people who contribute positively to society and become better citizens of the United Kingdom.

Ronnie has 24 years of Military experience having served as an Infantry soldier from the rank of Guardsman to Warrant Officer Class 1. He has an exemplary military record having been awarded the meritorious service medal (MSM) in 2011.

Ronnie has worked as a military instructor at a number of training establishments since 1994 including, ITC Catterick, ATR Glencorse, ATR Bassingbourn and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as a Colour Sergeant Instructor. Ronnie finished the final 6 years of his Military career at the Infantry Training Centre as the Company Sergeant Major Guards Training Company from 2006-2008, Master Coach of the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion from 2008-2009 and Regimental Sergeant Major of the All Arms Drill Wing from 2009-2011.

During his service Ronnie completed 4 operational tours of Northern Ireland including a 2 year tour as the Platoon Sergeant of the Close Observation Platoon. He also served in Operation Granby in 1991 and Operation Telic as Company Sergeant Major from 2004-2005.

Ronnie is extremely passionate about physical fitness and has competed in recent years for Great Britain in his age group Duathlon. In 2017 he won the Bronze Medal at the National Championships at Oulton Park in the Sprint Duathlon. In 2015 he represented Great Britain at the World Championships in Spain.

Most recently Ronnie competed in Ironman Wales in September 2019. His next physical challenge is to represent MPCT in the toughest foot race on earth Marathon Des Sables.

Ronnie has 18-year-old daughter Afton and 21-year-old son Euan and a 3-year-old granddaughter Annie. Ronnie has been in a relationship with his partner Lucy for over 5 years now who also shares his passion for endurance sport.

Sophie Spowart

Joined 2021

My early years were spent growing up in Spain where I attended Spanish state primary and secondary schools leading to me now being able to speak, read and write in fluent Spanish.

I have always enjoyed a more hands on approach to learning and being outdoors, so I returned to the UK in 2011 at the age of 17 to begin my British Army career by passing out of basic training at the Army Foundation College Winchester. I joined the Royal Logistic Corps with 17 Port and Maritime Regiment becoming my home unit.

In 2013 we deployed on Op Tosca, a joint force peacekeeping operation with the United Nations deployed on the buffer zone in Cyprus. I was a awarded a Force Commanders Commendation of Excellence for my hard work and effort on this deployment and although I am terrified of heights, it was during a 2-week Adventure Training course on this tour, I had my first taste of skydiving. I was instantly hooked with the adrenaline and excitement of the sport and attended the drop zone at every opportunity, eventually earning myself a skydiving license.

Once I returned from Cyprus, I was seconded to work with the Royal Logistic Corps parachute display team, The Silver Stars. This became my full-time role, when not practicing for demo events I took charge of all admin and ground control duties for the team. I then progressed further and eventually became a full time Adventure Training Instructor based out of the Joint Service Parachute Centre in Netheravon. My time as part of the Adventure Training Group in the British Army took me all over the world completing skydives in the UK, Cyprus, Germany and even California in the USA.

I left service in 2017 to further travel the world and pursue adventures beyond the military. My days are now filled with mountain biking and trail running with my best friend Sid the adventure dog and studying for my BSc (Hons) degree in Sports, Fitness and Coaching.

Andrew Miller