UKHO Announces National Hydrographer

Reporting to the Chief Executive he will be integral to continuing the key role the UKHO plays in working with the International Hydrographic Community, leading on Defence matters and discharging the UK Government’s responsibilities for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency under the UN Convention of Safety of Life at Sea.

Nick graduated in Geography from the University of Durham in 1983. He joined the Royal Navy as a Seaman in 1977 and comes to the UKHO with a long and distinguished Naval background.

Qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer in 1986, he has accumulated over 15 years operational seagoing experience in five warships serving in the South Atlantic, Persian Gulf, Adriatic and numerous other parts of the world. He commanded the ice patrol ship HMS ENDURANCE from 2005-2007 before, on promotion to Commodore, commanding Task Force 158 in the North Arabian Gulf. Since January 2008 he has been Deputy Flag Officer Sea Training.

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the UKHO, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Nick to the UKHO. This is an excellent appointment which will be of considerable benefit to the UKHO, our international hydrographic relations and to our defence customer. Nick brings with him considerable expertise and experience. He will play an important role in the future development of our organisation.”

Nick commented: “I am very pleased indeed to be joining such a worldrenowned organisation as the UKHO. I much look forward to continuing the work that Rear Admiral Moncrieff has done particularly as we move further into the delivery of digital products and services.”

Nick is married with two children. He is a Henley Management College qualified executive coach, a member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, a friend of the Scott Polar Research Institute and Chairman of the Royal Navy Gliding and Soaring Association. A passionate glider pilot, he also enjoys cookery, gardening and running.