The RNSSC is the Royal Navy's internal think tank and exists to strengthen the conceptual component of the RN's fighting power.We inform policy and strategy decisions by harnessing the intellectual capital of academia, think tanks, and our own people.

Author / Editor of:Maritime Britain in the 21st Century, joint editor, (Britannia, 2024).The Cold War: Superpower Rivalry and the Strategic Balance, book chapter in The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific (GUP, 2023).The UK Approach to Amphibious Operations, book chapter in On Contested Shores (MCU Press, 2020).Naval Diplomacy in the 21st Century (Routledge, 2019).21st Century Gorshkov (USNI, 2017).Various journal articles, commentaries… Show more Author / Editor of:Maritime Britain in the 21st Century, joint editor, (Britannia, 2024).The Cold War: Superpower Rivalry and the Strategic Balance, book chapter in The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific (GUP, 2023).The UK Approach to Amphibious Operations, book chapter in On Contested Shores (MCU Press, 2020).Naval Diplomacy in the 21st Century (Routledge, 2019).21st Century Gorshkov (USNI, 2017).Various journal articles, commentaries and book reviews. Show less

I am the external examiner for Kingston University's MSc in Technology (Maritime Operations). This long-running course was developed in partnership with the Royal Navy and combines accreditation for prior learning to Principal Warfare Officers with further work-based academic assignments and reflective studies.

I joined the Royal Navy in 1990 and after training at BRNC Dartmouth assignments at sea included small ships, frigates, destroyers, assault ships and aircraft carriers. By specialisation I was a Seaman Officer, Fighter Controller and Principal Warfare Officer. I worked in and alongside numerous RN, RM, Joint, Coalition, NATO, EU, and Other Governmental Departments staffs. My most recent seagoing roles were as The Commander (the Executive Officer) of HMS Bulwark, and then as Chief of… Show more I joined the Royal Navy in 1990 and after training at BRNC Dartmouth assignments at sea included small ships, frigates, destroyers, assault ships and aircraft carriers. By specialisation I was a Seaman Officer, Fighter Controller and Principal Warfare Officer. I worked in and alongside numerous RN, RM, Joint, Coalition, NATO, EU, and Other Governmental Departments staffs. My most recent seagoing roles were as The Commander (the Executive Officer) of HMS Bulwark, and then as Chief of Staff to the Amphibious Task Group, deploying again to the Arabian Gulf for the UK’s first command of the US 5th Fleet’s Task Force 50.Ashore I was assistant to the British Naval Adviser in Ottawa, maritime desk officer within the Ministry of Defence’s Operational Capability audit team, and the strategy and plans officer at Joint Forces Command HQ. In 2017-18 I was the deployed commander of Op LITTEN, the UK’s contribution to countering illegal migration and human trafficking from Libya, and the UK Senior National Representative to EU Naval Force Mediterranean. Returning to Head Office, I became the Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Head (Military) of the MOD's Boards Secretariat. My final role in uniform was as a divisional director and then as the course director of the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the UK Defence Academy, delivering postgraduate level education to top level UK and multinational military officers. Show less

The Naval Review is the UK's professional journal for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and affiliated organisations. It offers an independent forum to discuss issues of professional interest through a quarterly journal, published since 1913, and a website and it supports professional development through awards for excellence. I have been a regular contributor to the journal, a member of its governing committee and, from 2009 to 2019, the Books Reviews Editor, managing relationships with British… Show more The Naval Review is the UK's professional journal for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and affiliated organisations. It offers an independent forum to discuss issues of professional interest through a quarterly journal, published since 1913, and a website and it supports professional development through awards for excellence. I have been a regular contributor to the journal, a member of its governing committee and, from 2009 to 2019, the Books Reviews Editor, managing relationships with British and international publishers and a team of volunteer reviewers. Show less