Doctor of Laws
A former First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff whose career spanned the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns.
After education at Brambletye and Haileybury, Sir Jonathon joined the Royal Navy. Having trained at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth and at sea, he spent three years at the University of Exeter.
Following a series of Junior Officer appointments, which included service with the United States Navy, he commanded the minesweeper HMS Soberton. Sir Jonathon went on to become the Flag Lieutenant to Commander-in-Chief Fleet, a period of his career which included the Falklands Campaign.
Promoted to Commander, he assumed command of the frigate HMS Phoebe. After a time attending the Joint Services Defence College, he was appointed to a policy role in the Ministry of Defence. Subsequently promoted to Captain, he commanded HMS Norfolk before further duty in the Resource Management area of the Ministry of Defence.
Sir Jonathon’s last Sea Command was of HMS Illustrious, the aircraft carrier. This period included two operational deployments to the Adriatic in support of the United Nations, and then NATO, operations in Bosnia.
Promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in May 1997, Sir Jonathon returned to the Ministry of Defence as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff. He went on to become Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet, with an operational focus.
On promotion to Admiral he became Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Commander Allied Maritime Component Command Northwood. This period saw the Iraq Campaign.
He served as First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff from February 2006 until July 2009, a time dominated by the Afghanistan Campaign and the successful signing of the Future Carrier contract.
After retiring from the Royal Navy, Sir Jonathon began a life of non executive responsibilities in the commercial and charity sectors. He currently holds positions with Carnival Corporation/PLC and Harland & Wolff. Having been Chairman of Trustees of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, he remains a Vice Patron. He is also the President of the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity, a Vice Patron of UK Blind Veterans, Patron of the MTB 102 Trust, and President of the 1805 Historical Club.
The recipient of honorary doctorates from the universities of Exeter and Portsmouth and he is Patron of the Southsea Association. A resident of Southsea, he is also a liveryman and Court Member of the Shipwrights Company, and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.