Thomas Howe Email & Phone Number

Bath, England, United Kingdom

Navigation and Seamanship lead in BMT's Defence and Security area and the Naval Authority Group adviser covering navigation and seamanship, including evolving technologies and autonomy. Chair and UK delegate of the Navigation(IX) and Seamanship(V) Chapters of the International Naval Safety Association's Naval Ship and Submarine Codes.Developing BMTs Navigation Business within both core and evolving markets, from supporting whole ship design out to emerging technologies ready to make an impact on the Position, Navigation and Timing landscape. Establishing BMT as the industry leaders in the Regulation of Autonomy and the practical application of the Collision Regulations. Developing the navigation of autonomous vessels, cognisant of the impact of a loss of GNSS.

Bath, United Kingdom

Navigation and Seamanship lead in BMT Defence and Security. Capability Area Lead for Navigation and Seamanship within the Naval Authority Industry Alliance and the Naval Authority Group advisor covering those areas including evolving technologies and autonomy.

De&S Hq Abbeywood - Bristol

A demanding and diverse portfolio within MoD Procurement, I have a broad remit to provide consultancy-style advice to projects Pan-MoD encompassing design, testing and acceptance of equipment, Human Factors aspects of bridge design and equipment provision, the external regulatory and safety constraints impacting projects and the provision of specialist navigation advice to projects and platforms.I provide Position, Navigation and Timing expertise to a number of committees and working groups, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s UK Radio-Communications Navigation Equipment and Standards Committee (focussing on Navigation and equipment safety) and the UK Marine Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group.I have had extensive involvement with and significant influence upon the Naval Ship and Submarine Codes, including leading development of the Seamanship Chapter as working group Chairman and actively supporting the development of Navigation and Radio-Communication Chapters. As Capability Team Chairman I led early delivery of the NATO STANAG on WECDIS (Warship Electronic Charting )and successfully drove the formation of the NATO Position Navigation And Timing Policy Working Group, which I also the Chair. I act on behalf of, and provide expertise to, the Naval Authority for Navigation/Seamanship issues and the Certification of Navigation at a platform level and contribute to Standards Development as both a Member of BSI Committees and the Owner of two Defence Standards.Drawing upon my deep Submarine expertise I have been able to provide support across a wide range of projects and all classes of Submarines (both in service and future capability) within both Navigation, Seamanship and Operations. This has ranged from the control of Key Hazards through to dynamics, shiphandling and operability.As a Council Member and full Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation I have experience as a Non-Executive Board Member of a significant organisation.

Maritime Warfare School

Led the instruction staff of the Navigation School with responsibility for the conduct, quality and safety of RN navigation career training. A role which, in addition to the expertise of highly experienced Specialist Navigator, required strong Leadership, Project management and Facilities/Infrastructure skills. Scheduled, resourced and quality controlled multiple training strands ranging from Initial Bridge-Watchkeeping Officers up to the Commanding Officers of major platforms. Acted as Assessing Officer for Commanding Officers Qualifying Boards (STCW II:2 Masters Qualifications). As lead instructor of the Fleet Navigators Course between Dec 11 and Jun 13 Gained significant expertise in the use of Simulation in training, planning scenarios and assessing performances ranging from individual students on professional courses up to the Bridge resource Management of Full Bridge Teams in demanding situations prior to deployment. Gained Institute of Leadership and Management Level 5 Certificate in Professional Coaching and Mentoring and implemented revised management practices to produce an environment in which individuals (both staff and students) could achieve their full potential, this resulted in improved pass rates across key professional courses. Instigated and led a challenging Change Management Initiative, including the Introduction of SMART management practices across the instructing staff and invested significant resource in streamlining internal management practices in order to increase instructor utilisation. Successfully project managed an innovative £1M training capability from inception, using a business case demonstrating thoroughly researched and robust costings to conclusion.Responsible for both hard and Soft Facilities Management and Contract Supervision in an environment with a high course turnover and simulator utilisation in excess of 95% over a 5 day 15 hours daily training week.

Type 23 Frigate

Board member responsible for the evolution and planning of a complex and diverse balance of tasks and developmental work strands across a number of departments (totalling over 200 personnel) for a dynamic, highly reactive and results led customer. Horizons ranged from long-term (10 years) to immediate reactive requirements. Planned and executed a complex and multi-faceted regeneration programme for a multi-million pound unit within a bar taut timeframe while balancing considerable risks and achieving success at first presentation for assessment (the only unit to do so that year).Directly led and managed a team of over 70 as Head of Department (Warfare), with responsibility for Operational preparation, planning and execution in addition to the training, pastoral care and professional development of Officers and Ratings. Employed clear direction supported by a suite of soft skills to achieve bottom-up buy in during the successful execution of a series of demanding high tempo Operations.During this period the unit’s achievements were recognised with the award of the prestigious Fleet Effectiveness Prize.Adept at balancing intense and demanding workloads achieved recognition for high quality leadership skills.

Maritime Warfare School

The RN’s Principal Warfare Officers Course is the global gold standard in Warfare Officer training, and subjects students to complex situations, designed to generate mental pressure, in both simulators and at sea with live assets (including live weapon firings). During this period of, at times intense and demanding, practical and theoretical training I demonstrated a high level of mental agility and the ability to process disparate and quickly evolving information strands in real time while leading a team and making timely, effective decisions under immense pressure. Proven to be an adept stress manager, comfortable under scrutiny, completing the course as the UK Top Student.As Senior Student was responsible for the administration of a group of peers through thirteen months of demanding training, liaising with the Instructing Staff and external authorities.

Navy Command Headquarters

Lead authority for submarine navigation operational policy, standards and accident investigation. Aa an Empowered Corporate Strategist within the Royal Navy’s Senior Headquarters I was responsible, within a wide portfolio, for implementing the coherent delivery of both Electronic Navigation and Automatic Identification Systems (totalling £6.4M). This included identifying, quantifying and mitigating corporate, operational and delivery risks associated with sophisticated new technologies.Working in a Staff environment on a complex and high profile project required written and presentation skills of the highest order, including speech writing for the First Sea Lord and presentations up to Ministerial level. The delivery of a paradigm shifting transformation to Digital Navigation, encompassing both policy and a multi-million pound equipment project, required close cooperation between Defence and the Private Sector. During this appointment I was personally commended by the Hydrographer to The Navy for exemplary inter-departmental and external liaison.

T Class Nuclear Powered Submarine

Board member responsible for the delivery of Operational Capability in addition to the planning and execution of day to day operations and direct leadership and management of a department of over 40 personnel.As Operations Officers planned the running of a complex platform with four main departments totalling over 130 personnel over timeframes ranging from hours to months ahead. A task requiring exceptional organisational skills, diplomacy and the ability to react swiftly to changing requirements.During this appointment I was recommended for Submarine Commanding Officers Course (“Perisher”).

After joining graduating from The University of Edinburgh I joined Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Following basic training I undertook appointments in Type 42 destroyers and with the Hong Kong Squadron before joining the Submarine Service. Following Submarine Training, with a significant Engineering and Nuclear Power Element, I served in both Ballistic Missile (V Class) and Hunter-Killer (S Class) Submarines, including active service in 2003. As a Submarine Officer I regularly had responsibility for the vessel, including its Nuclear power plant and armament, whilst alongside. During this period I developed a very strong background in Risk Management, Engineering Practices and a deep understanding of Safety and Quality. As the most experienced navigator of my cadre I was appointed to the Maritime Warfare School as the Submarine Navigation Instructor.During this appointment I passed the Specialist Navigator’s Course (considered to be the most demanding course in the Royal Navy’s surface fleet) as the second highest scoring student on course. Only one other submariner has passed “Spec N” course in the last decade.In 2006 I returned to core Submarine training and completed the challenging Submarine Advanced Warfare Course, finishing as second top student.

Geology And Physical Geography 2:1(Hons), Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Bsc (Hons) 2:1

Activities and Societies: Geology Society, Boxing Club

Postgraduate Diploma In Applied Navigation With Distinction, Navigation, Distinction

Accident Investigation

Level 5 Professional Coaching And Mentoring

Fellow