Captain Matthew Syrett RN
Biography
As Captain Hydrography and Meteorology (Capt HM), and Hydrographer of the Navy, Captain Syrett ensures the coherency of HM and RN GEO Intelligence effort across the whole direct, collect, process, disseminate cycle.
Capt HM is the professional head of the HM specialisation and provides line management and guidance, leadership and direction to all HM personnel, exercising command pull on the HM capability delivery teams and providing subject matter expert (SME) advice to the equipment capability management areas for future equipment. Capt HM has a strategic role with the specialist geospatial centres (SGCs) on behalf of the Navy Board, providing guidance and advice on their operational output.
Previously employed as the Naval Assistant to The First Sea Lord, Captain Syrett worked directly for Admiral Sir George Zambellas and Admiral Sir Philip Jones as their lead for International Defence Engagement during a particularly challenging period that encompassed the Scottish Referendum, SDSR 2015, CDS and 1SL supersessions and BREXIT.
Captain Syrett has Commanded HM Ships GLEANER, ROEBUCK and ECHO, and is a Specialist Navigator who has trained Royal Navy personnel in FOST North and South, latterly as SWO(CST) and Deputy Head of the FOST Warfare Department. He navigated the Type 23 Frigate, HMS ST ALBANS during her initial sea trials and has experience operating almost all of the Royal Navy’s smaller vessels.
Previously an Officers’ Career Manager he also has Strategic and Operational Media experience gained from a two year assignment to PJHQ during the Afghanistan and Libya campaigns.
Captain Syrett was born in Plymouth, Devon and educated at Plymouth and Tavistock Colleges, he joined the Royal Navy in 1990 on a University Scholarship and read for a degree in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) at Kingston University.
Previous roles in government
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HM Hydrographer of the Navy