Sir Jonathon Band GCB DL Visiting Professor University of Reading Department of Politics & International Relations Jonathon Band studied at Exeter University, after joining the Royal Navy in 1967. During the Falklands Campaign, he served as Flag Lieutenant to Commander-in-Chief Fleet. Promoted Commander in 1983, took part in the RN’s first operational experience with surface ship towed passive sonar. In 1985 he attended the Joint Services Defence College, and was then appointed to the Directorate of Defence Policy in the Ministry of Defence in. Promoted Captain in 1988, he commanded HMS Norfolk and established the first Type 23 Frigate Squadron. In 1991, he became the Assistant Director Navy Plans and Programmes in the Ministry of Defence, a period that saw the implementation of the “Options for Change” Review. In 1994 he was a member of the Defence Costs Study (Front Line First) Secretariat and, prior to returning to command at sea, attended the Higher Command and Staff Course. His last Sea Command was of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, the aircraft carrier, between 1995 and 1997, which included two operational deployments to the Adriatic in support of United Nations, and then NATO, operations in Bosnia. Promoted Rear Admiral in May 1997, he returned to the Ministry of Defence as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff at the time of a Strategic Defence Review, and the Kosovo Campaign. In January 2000 he became Team Leader of the Defence Education and Training Study on promotion to Vice Admiral, and then in May 2001 the Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet. He was promoted Admiral in 2002 on becoming Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Commander Allied Maritime Component Command Northwood. This period in Command saw the Iraq Campaign, the major re-organisation of the Fleet Command and subsequent changes in NATO. He was appointed First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff in February 2006 a position he held until July 2009. Since retirement, has taken up positions with Carnival Corporation/PLC, Lockheed Martin, Babcock International, MooD and Survitec Group. He is also Chairman of Trustees of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Vice Chairman of the White Ensign Association, a President of the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity, is a Vice Patron of St Dunstan’s and is Vice Chairman of Governors of Portsmouth High School. Sir Jonathon holds honorary doctorates from Exeter and Portsmouth Universities. .