Army Officer.  Post university and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst I spent 25 years as an officer in the British Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in December 2012.  Initially trained as a reconnaissance officer and tank commander in a cavalry regiment, subsidiary posts included President of the Regimental Institute (regimental fund holder); President of the Mess Committee; MoD Press Officer; mentor and tutor to foreign Royal officers; operations director and security officer. Notable appointments were:

 • Military Assistant, staff of the Commander, US Central Command. Organisation of outer office and briefings to US, UK and other government ministers and diplomats.

• Chief of Staff, Armoured Battlegroup (750 soldiers), Kosovo.

• Commander of a Cavalry Squadron (120 soldiers), peacekeeping operations, Bosnia. 

• Technical (weapons) and procurement posts in the UK, Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Group Leader, Regular Commissions Board (selection of applicants for Army Officer training)

• Tactics instructor

Superyacht Captain.  From January 2014 to October 2017 I was employed as Captain of two 40m motor yachts for a very discerning owner. I had total responsibility for the safe operation of the yachts in the Mediterranean and USA, their budgets, crew and maintenance, in addition to meeting the owner’s and guests’ expectations over four exceptionally demanding seasons. On conclusion, I was offered the owner's new-build 85m yacht but had already decided it was time to return to a vaguely normal home life in the UK.

Manager.  Since returning to the UK I've started a number of organisational and managerial jobs, working predominantly from home.

I grew up on the coast in Cornwall, surfing, kayaking and sailing. My father was a boatbuilder and some of his skills rubbed off.  Sailing became a passion.

With Army service I was fortunate to be able to mix operational commitments to Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo with leading the Army’s offshore racing team and captain of the principal racing yacht for 19 years. This included the purchase/build-supervision and running of four successive yachts within tight budgets as well as training crews from novice and injured soldiers. I ran the Army’s entry in the 2011 Atlantic Ocean Racing Series against some of the world’s largest and fastest racing yachts, ending up as the last yacht remaining in the competition and awarded the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s trophy for Best Performance of a British Yacht Overseas.

I’ve completed one circumnavigation (Whitbread Round the World Race), 9 Fastnet Races and 5 Atlantic crossings, covering 140,000 sea miles, most of which as captain.  I have also purchased 10  yachts for individuals, regiments and self.  I've contributed to Club administration serving on committees: Royal Ocean Racing Club (main committee 2009-2011); Royal Armoured Corps YC (Vice Commodore 2007-2012). Other interests are  restoring old houses; sailing my own yacht; cycling; kayaking and educating two daughters. 

A pragmatist with an amenable manner and sound sense of humour, I can combine appropriate authority with tactful accommodation to get the job done.  So whilst I've enjoyed some really demanding posts all over the world, I am now ready for something worthwhile that I can combine  with a sensible home life.

MA (Defence Technology) – Royal Military College of Science

Graduate, Army Staff College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst

BSc (Hons) (Chemistry) – Royal Holloway, University of London

Chief Mate 3000gt (now lapsed)

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster (Ocean) 

RYA Powerboat Handler level 2;  BSAC Ocean Diver

UK driving licence

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint)