Ian Garnett

Early life

Born in Surrey, England, he was the son of Captain Ian Garnett, an officer in the Royal Navy. He attended the independent Canford School near Wimborne Minster, Dorset. He then went to the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Career

Garnett joined the Royal Navy in 1962. He served in HM Ships London, Beachampton and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Later he joined 814 Squadron onboard HMS Hermes. He then served on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy on board HMAS Melbourne before flying Sea King helicopters in HM Ships Tiger and Blake and then became Operations Officer in HMS Naiad.

In 1978 he became the Deputy Director (RN) of the Joint Maritime Operations Training School and then took command of HMS Amazon, a Type 21 Frigate. In 1983 he became Assistant Director (Ships) in the Operational Requirements Division of the Ministry of Defence. He went on to be Commanding Officer of the frigate HMS Active as well as Captain of the 4th Frigate Squadron in 1986, and then moved on to lead the Royal Navy Presentation Team from 1988.

In 1989 he became Captain Naval Operational Command Systems and then Director of Operational Requirements (Sea Systems). In 1993 he was made Flag Officer Naval Aviation and in 1995 he became Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic for NATO.

In February 1999 he was appointed Chief of Joint Operations at the Permanent Joint Headquarters and in September 2001 he became Chief of Staff at SHAPE.

Retirement

He retired from the Royal Navy in December 2004, and from 5 January 2005 until 4 January 2008 was Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies. He was appointed Chairman of Chatham Historic Dockyard in 2005. He is currently chairman of the Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889). He is currently President of the Type 21 Club Association of RN Amazon Class Frigates 1971 – 1994.