HMS Echo

Military experience

Born in Plymouth and educated at Plymouth and Tavistock Colleges, Matt Syrett joined the Royal Navy as a University Cadet in 1990.

Following basic training he read Geographical Information Systems (GIS) at Kingston University, graduating in 1995. Training appointments during this period led to service in the Falklands, the Mediterranean and off the Arctic coast of Russia primarily in the Type 22 Frigate, HMS Sheffield and the Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMS Orkney and HMS Leeds Castle.

Between 1995 and 1997 he completed his first warfare appointment as the Navigation Officer of the Mine Countermeasures Vessel, HMS Ledbury. This period encompassed participation in the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group and saw Operations in the Arctic, Baltic and Mediterranean seas.

Qualifying as a Frigate Navigating Officer, and as a Hydrographic and Meteorological warfare sub-specialist, he navigated the Survey Ships HMS Herald and HMS Scott, both of which conducted survey work and acted as the Mine Countermeasures Tasking Authority (MCMTA) for national and multi-national Operations in the Mediterranean.

A brief period in the Indian Ocean and survey operations in the Seychelles preceded selection for Specialist Navigator’s Course and short appointments as the Staff Operations Officer to Captain HM and as the Staff Navigation Officer to FOST(MPV). During this period he also acted as the Navigation Officer of the Type 23 Frigate, HMS St Albans, for constructor’s Sea Trials.

Subsequently selected for Minor War Vessel Command, between 2002 and 2004 he Commanded the Royal Navy’s smallest commissioned vessel HMS Gleaner, and enjoyed conducting inshore survey operations in the UK’s coastal waters. Thereafter he joined FOST Devonport where he worked as the Staff Warfare Officer (CST) as Commander Sea Training’s Deputy, and as a Navigation and HM sea rider.

He also led the FOST Transformation Project, which acted as a pilot study for wider adoption within the Naval Service. In 2006 he became an Officer’s Career Manager and was responsible for the career development and appointing of over 250 Warfare Officers. He also managed the Royal Navy’s Standards, Training and Certification of Watch keepers (STCW).

Selected for a second Minor War Vessel Command, between 2007 and 2009 he Commanded the survey vessel HMS Roebuck. For 13 months during this period he acted as the Flag Captain to the Commander of the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group One and oversaw live mine disposal Operations in the Baltic, Northern European waters, the Mediterranean and West Africa.

In the Commander’s absence he assumed Command of the multi-national force of NATO vessels. During this period he was selected for promotion to Commander and for the Advanced Command and Staff Course which he completed in 2010.

An appointment to the Permanent Joint Head Quarters (PJHQ) at Northwood followed and saw him responsible for the management and co-ordination of all Strategic Messaging for Operations within the Commander of Joint Operations’ (CJO) domain.

Working across Divisions he was primarily responsible for the coherent delivery of the communications strategy for the Afghanistan and Libyan Campaigns, but also led communications strategies for the Falklands Theatre, Counter-Piracy Operations and Operational Security.

A first hand witness to the unfolding Arab Spring of 2011 the perspective he gained from his role in the high tempo Joint Operational Head Quarters was invaluable.

Selected for his third Sea Command, Commander Syrett joined HMS Echo in Mumbai in early April 2012.