Emily Elliot

Emily Elliott is chief executive officer of Imperial Armour, a globally recognised manufacturer of high-performance body armour serving both local and international markets. This year marks the company’s twenty-fifth anniversary, a milestone that reflects dedication and resilience. At just twenty-nine years old, Emily’s journey has been one intertwined with family legacy and personal conviction.

“When I was about seven years old, I would ask my mum, whose life did you save today? she recalls with a smile. “That’s where my love for the business and the industry began.”The family’s roots in defence stretch even further back, as Emily explains: “Defence is in my blood. It’s carried through from my grandfather, through to my mum, to me. It has always been there.”

Although Emily officially joined the company a decade ago, her path to leadership was carefully considered.
After completing schooling, she pursued a business diploma and experimented with several ventures of
her own, including a clothing line for mothers and daughters. “It’s quite ironic since I have two boys now,” she laughs. Her time working and travelling in Asia gave her valuable perspective, but she always knew where her heart lay. “I ended up coming back to Imperial Armour, realising that this is where I could make a difference.”

The leadership transition has been, in her words, “a very steady process over the past five years,” culminating in her formal appointment as CEO. “Just seeing the documents finalised felt like the completion of something that had been in motion for a long time.”

CULTURE, QUALITY AND INNOVATION
As CEO, Emily has placed company culture at the forefront of her vision. “We focus on teamwork and collaboration. The team’s synergy is one hundred percent there. That commitment to people-first leadership has already yielded tangible results. “The other day, I was sitting with staff members from different departments, and they each said to me, ‘I love working here. I love my job, and I love what I’m doing.’ For me, that made me realise that I am successfully impacting the company.” Under Emily’s guidance, Imperial Armour continues to thrive under a quality assurance framework. “I live and breathe ISO,” she says, referring to the international quality management standard. “It’s a path that we’ve taken to make sure that we are successful. We measure, we set goals, and we work towards them.”

This approach has also driven technical innovation. Emily highlights a major development in product design that has improved functionality and reduced material waste. “For our most popular product line, we’ve managed to create minimal wastage, which has been amazing,” she explains.

The Contour 25 line is not only sustainable but also ergonomically advanced. “When a reaction officer
wears a vest, they need complete manoeuvrability. The Contour 25 allows that. You can hold your firearm with no restriction, sit in a vehicle comfortably, and have full protection. It’s been incredible, and our key accounts have already adopted this style.”

EMPOWERING WOMEN
Emily’s sense of social responsibility has also found expression in a new initiative, the ‘Yes, You! Campaign’.
“It’s directed at women, particularly from lower-income communities,” she explains. “Many of these women want to start their careers but may lack confidence, communication skills or even knowledge of how to prepare a CV. We train them, we help them grow their confidence, learn how to interview and present themselves.”

Initially rolled out within the company, the campaign will soon expand to reach the surrounding community.
Emily says warmly, “My biggest dream has always been to be an entrepreneur who makes a difference. If I’m not making a difference, I’m not succeeding.

In an industry dominated by men, Imperial Armour has always been 100% female-owned, and 96% percent of the staff are women. Emily notes with pride, “And while the industry may have traditionally been perceived as a ‘man’s world’ – consider the impact when women can: Design; Craft; Negotiate and Sell the highest quality of Body Armour.”

Emily has also been guided by her late father’s words: “He always told me to learn from everyone who gives
advice. Whether it’s with a pinch of salt or not, I always do my best to learn. I think it’s important to share that
lesson with young women.”

She is passionate about seeing more women step into leadership roles within the defence industry. “I want
young women to know they can be here, that they can succeed. Confidence is something you must believe in your head first. You may not have it all, but you can go for it, and the confidence comes.”

CLEAR AMBITIONS
Looking ahead, Emily’s ambitions for Imperial Armour are clear. “I would like the brand’s market reach to grow,” she says. “We are already in seventy-eight countries but expanding on that is a huge goal for me. We need to protect as many people as we can.”

She adds that Imperial Armour’s mission goes beyond production. “We manufacture for the wearer, for
their families. Our slogan is: ‘When you go in, we go in with you’. We may not physically accompany the
wearers into dangerous environments, but through our garments, we are right there with them. I love that
because it is truly Imperial Armour.”

With two young sons and a supportive husband, Emily understands the challenges of balance. “I find balance through energising myself for work and energising myself from work for life,” she explains. “I make sure that my cup is filled with family and friends, and that brings me my best self for work and vice versa for home. I’m grateful for both.