Former Ardent captain to become First Sea Lord (From Western Telegraph)

Former Ardent captain to become First Sea Lord

THE former captain of the frigate HMS Ardent - Milford Havens adopted warship which was lost during the Falklands War - is to become First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff in September.

Admiral Sir Alan West, the Commander-in-Chief Fleet, will succeed Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh. Admiral West has close family links with South Pembrokeshire and joined the Royal Navy in 1965. He specialised as a principal warfare officer and took command of HMS Ardent in 1980.

He was promoted Captain in 1985 and commanded HMS Bristol from 1987-88, and then headed the study into womens integration and service at sea.

After serving as Head of Maritime Intelligence, he was promoted Rear Admiral in 1994, and was Naval Secretary and Commander UK Task Group.

He became Chief of Defence Intelligence as Vice Admiral in 1997 and, on promotion to Admiral in November 2000, was appointed Commander-in-Chief Fleet.