The CWGC is
pleased to announce the appointment of Vice Admiral Sir Tim
Laurence KCVO CB ADC(P) as Commissioner, representing the Royal
Navy. His appointment follows the departure of Admiral Sir Ian
Garnett, who served as Commissioner from 2006 and Vice Chairman of
the Commission from 2008 to 2011.
Vice Admiral Laurence's 37 year career in the Royal Navy
included 4 warship commands and several posts in the strategic
management of Defence. His final appointment before leaving the UK
Ministry of Defence was Chief Executive of Defence Estates, the
organisation which manages most of MoD's land and
buildings in the UK and overseas, including numerous listed
buildings and ancient monuments. He was also Head of the Property
Asset Management Profession across Government. This led to a
particular interest in heritage, sustainability and regeneration,
not only in property, but also more broadly.
Commenting on his appointment as Commissioner, Vice Admiral
Laurence said: "Having served all over the world with the
Royal Navy, I have visited many War Grave sites and have always
admired the Commission's dedication in tending the graves
and memorials of our war dead in 150 countries. It is a great
honour to join this venerated organisation and I look forward to
helping the Commission continue its immensely valuable work."
Ends.
For further information, please contact the
Commission's PR & Media Manager Ranald Leask on
07887 860541 or ranald.leask@cwgc.org
Notes for Editors
1. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for
marking and maintaining the graves of those members of the
Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars, for
building and maintaining memorials to the dead whose graves are
unknown and for providing records and registers of these 1.7
million burials and commemorations found in most countries
throughout the world. For more information visit www.cwgc.org
2. Born in London on 1 March 1955, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence was
educated at The New Beacon Preparatory School, Sevenoaks School,
Kent and at University College, Durham University on a Naval
Scholarship, where he received a Bachelor of Science (BSc), upper
second class honours (2:1) in geography.
He joined the Royal navy in 1973 as a midshipman. After training
at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, he was posted to the
frigate, HMS Aurora. In March 1977 he was promoted to Lieutenant.
After serving aboard various ships, he was posted, in October
1989, to the frigate HMS Boxer and took over as its Commanding
Officer in January 1990 at the age of 34.
Between 1992 and
1994 he was with the naval staff at the UK Ministry of Defence in
London and in May 1994 was appointed the first Military Assistant
to the Secretary of State for Defence.
Vice Admiral Laurence was promoted to Captain in June 1995,
and until 1996 was in command of the frigate HMS Cumberland. In
August 1996 he took command of the frigate HMS Montrose and was
captain of Plymouth-based F6, a squadron of six frigates. In July
1997 he returned to the Ministry of Defence on the Naval Staff and
later as part of the 1998 Strategic Defence Review implementation team.
In January 1999 he was Hudson Visiting Fellow, St
Antony's College, University of Oxford, and in June of
that year was posted to the Joint Services Command and Staff
College as a Commodore, as Assistant Commandant (Navy).
In 2001 he returned to the UK Ministry of Defence, as
Director of Navy Resources and Plans, and in July 2004 was
promoted to Rear Admiral and made Assistant Chief of Defence Staff
(Resources and Plans). In April 2007 he was promoted to
Vice-Admiral, and became Chief Executive of Defence Estates. He
took on the additional role of Head of Profession for the UK
Government's Property Asset Management community in July
2009. Vice Admiral Laurence retired from the Royal Navy in August
2011.
Sir Tim is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Capita
Symonds, and is working with the PA Consulting Group as a Senior
Advisor, mainly on Defence and Security. He chairs two property
companies, and is a member of the First Great Western Advisory
Board. Until September 2011 he is Master of the Coachmakers Livery
Company. He has interests in several charities, most notably as a
member of Council of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Vice-Admiral Laurence married HRH The Princess Royal in December
1992. He was awarded a CB in 2007, was made a personal ADC to The
Queen in 2008 and was invested by The Queen in June 2011 as a
Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Ends.
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk