2001 - 2004

Admiral Sir Ian Garnett KCB

Born in Surrey, England in 1944, Admiral Ian Garnett joined the Royal Navy in 1962. After sea service in HM ships LONDON, BEACHAMPTON and the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA, he was selected for flying training, qualified as an anti-submarine warfare helicopter pilot and joined 814 Squadron on board HMS HERMES.

Subsequently he served in a broad range of seagoing appointments; on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy both ashore and on board HMAS Melbourne; flying Sea King helicopters in HM ships TIGER and BLAKE; and as the Operations Officer in HMS NAIAD.

On promotion to commander in 1978, he became the Deputy Director (RN) of the Joint Maritime Operations Tactical School before assuming command of HMS AMAZON, a Type 21 Frigate, operating in home waters, the Far East and the South Atlantic. Selected for Captain while attending the Royal Naval Staff College in 1983, he joined the Ministry of Defence as the Assistant Director (Ships) in the Operational Requirements Division. He then commanded HMS ACTIVE as the Captain, Fourth Frigate Squadron before leading the Royal Navy Presentation Team in 1988-89.

In 1989, after seven months as Captain Naval Operational Command Systems, he was appointed Director of Operational Requirements (Sea Systems). Promoted to Rear Admiral in 1993 he became the Royal Navy's Flag Officer Naval Aviation. In August 1995, he was promoted to Vice Admiral and assumed the duties of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. In February 1999 he was appointed Chief of Joint Operations at the Permanent Joint Headquarters (United Kingdom), and in September 2001 he was promoted to Admiral and assumed his current post as Chief of Staff SHAPE.

Admiral Garnett and his Australian wife, Charlotte, have three children; James, Philippa and Georgina.