Lifetime Achievement Award for Ian Gallett

After gaining a degree in physics at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, and conducting research into the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, Ian joined the Royal Navy in 1973 where he became a metocean specialist. His main concerns were in operational oceanography and acoustics, particularly the effects of the ocean environment on the passive detection of long range sonar signals. During his time there he was made responsible for setting Royal Navy policy for the collection and use of oceanographic data and their application in underwater acoustic modelling. Ian left the Navy in 1996 with the rank of Commander.

This background and the organisational skills that he had developed whilst in the Navy, not to mention his passion for sailing, made him eminently suitable to take over the role of Executive Secretary of the Society in that year from Cdr David Wardle.

In almost 14 years under Ian's stewardship, the SUT attained a position that is envied amongst learned societies around the world. Operating a business with charitable status in a world with constantly changing pressures is certainly no easy task. Perhaps Ian's sailing abilities proved useful in this respect. Economic downturns and changes in the industry and other organisations can have major consequences to the viability and survivability to learned societies. However, Ian's skill and energy in working closely with his Council, the other SUT committees and his dedicated staff team steered the Society to an unprecedented position of intellectual and financial strength. The latter enabled the Society for the first time in its history to make a long term commitment to the support of its Educational Support Fund.

In recent years the Society has seen much expansion in terms of its overseas activity with a number of successful branches being formed in all corners of the world. Ian was instrumental in facilitating and nurturing these developments which demanded much travel and time spent away from home. This was all achieved by Ian whilst at the same time keeping a firm hand on the tiller running the necessary day to day business of the Society.

At the end of 2009 Ian retired from his post of Chief Executive of the Society but to the relief of its members, the wider industry community and not to mention that of his successor, he agreed to stay on working with the Society on a part time basis as Business Development Executive with particular responsibility for overseas development.

Ian's influence across the broad range of ocean and underwater activities in terms of knowledge transfer is evident for all to see. He is held in the highest esteem by our global community and It therefore gives me great pleasure to make this award to Ian.