The Royal Navy has formally welcomed its new Second Sea Lord with a ceremony on board HMS Victory in Portsmouth.
Vice Admiral Nick Hine takes up the role from outgoing Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Tony Radakin.
The Second Sea Lord is responsible for overseeing all people matters in the Royal Navy – recruiting, training, sport, diversity, welfare and support for families – as well as bases and facilities.
The handover ceremony took place today on board Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory and was attended by First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones and other senior guests.
Admiral Hine said: “While the title of Second Sea Lord is nearly as old as Nelson’s flagship, I am privileged to take up this role in 2019 and lead our modern, dynamic and world-class Naval Service.
“This is a time of great change for the whole Naval Service and its wider family, as we continue driving developments to outpace and outperform our potential adversaries.
“Without our people, there is no capability. Our hard-working men and women, their families, and the civil servants and contractors who work alongside us, are vital to enabling our success. I look forward to representing our Naval family as their Second Sea Lord.”
Admiral Hine was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1985. He has served as a warfare officer in a number of submarines, as well as undertaking appointments and commands in several surface vessels and shore bases. Of note, he also served for three years as Defence Policy Adviser in HM Treasury, during the last Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
He was the top student of his Submarine Command Course, “Perisher”, in 1998. During his career he has completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq, where in 2009 he was responsible for the reconstruction of the Iraqi Navy.
He was awarded the US Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal in recognition of his efforts.
Admiral Hine has commanded surface ships and submarines, including HMS Blackwater, HMS Talent, and HMS Westminster. His most recent appointment was as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff in London.
