“Tere’s definitely something
about being part of a team that’s pretty special - it’s the team that’s important, not the individual.” Simon first applied to join the
Navy at 18 hoping to fly jets but was advised a degree would be a good idea. University followed, along with a degree and a Masters in computational chemistry, and then a couple of graduate jobs in and around London. “I just realised they didn’t quite
offer the excitement, the challenge, and the team ethos that I was looking for.”
Te Navy beckoned again and
Simon eventually joined as an officer at the age of 24, and in 2003 found him- self at BRNC, this time as a trainee. “I have fantastic memories of that
time. I loved it.” “I knew exactly what was on offer
outside, and I knew what an amazing opportunity this was.” From Dartmouth, he embarked on
the career that would take him around the world. As a warfare officer, he spe- cialised in the business of operating and fighting ships, eventually taking command himself. “Te warfare branch in the Royal
Navy is the cadre who will go on to command ships,” he explains. “Tey are responsible for fighting ships - planning, cohering, coordinating and communicating orders and making those really difficult decisions. “It’s a real privilege to get to that
point of ultimate responsibility.” Simon’s career has been extraor-
dinarily varied. He has served in Frigates and Destroyers, commanded Mine Counter-Measure (MCM) vessels, offshore patrol vessels, task groups, and the 2nd MCM Squadron, as well as serving in amphibious ves- sels and most latterly, serving as the
Commander in the Aircraſt Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, the current flagship of the Royal Navy. One standout experience was
Operation Highbrow when the Royal Navy helped evacuate around 6,000 civilians from Beirut as a result of the escalating 2006 Lebanon War. “Tat was quite early on and
jumps out because it was a really potent event in my career,” Simon recalled. “For all of us involved, witnessing
the humanity, the potency, and possibility of what the military could do in that kind of situation was humbling. It’s also an incredibly proud moment when you see the families returned to safety.”
“I found the trust, team- work and potential of a really high-performing team incredibly addictive,”
For someone who has spent so
much of his career at sea, command has been as much about people as ships. “I found the trust, teamwork and
potential of a really high-performing team incredibly addictive,” he says. Tat is perhaps why his move to
BRNC feels like a natural next step. Te college’s primary purpose,
Simon says, is clear: “To develop the next generation of maritime warfighting leaders in an ever more uncertain world”. But there is much more to it than
that. BRNC develops leadership across the Service, it invests in academic education, critical thinking, it prepares leaders for
a contested and digital world, and acts as an important focal point for Britain’s strategic relationships with international allies and partners. Simon’s role is to make all those
different elements work together. “I suppose my job is to make sure
the fantastic team of military, civilian, contractor and international staff all come together to represent BRNC at its best, build on the legacy and history of previous years, ensure we modernise for today’s demands, and leave a relevant legacy for tomorrow’s generation.” He describes himself as just the
next custodian of that legacy. “BRNC has been here for 126 years
and I’m the next custodian who needs to make sure it’s here for another 126 years.” Tat responsibility extends beyond
the college gates. Simon is keenly aware of the relationship between BRNC and Dartmouth, which he describes as “symbiotic”. Te recent Port of Dartmouth
Royal Regatta, he says, is a perfect example of what happens when the two come together. “Te regatta shows how potent
the town is in its ability to deliver, and when you see that sense of belonging, of a big family, in all of the organisations that support it from the Sea Cadets, Royal Navy ships and sailors, to local businesses and charities, it’s pretty impressive.” Family is an important word for
Simon, particularly when he talks about his own. His wife Sarah and their children,
Emily and Joseph, have spent much of his naval career having to accommodate the long absences that come with life at sea. Te family has remained anchored in Cornwall while Simon travelled the world.
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