Captain Beard RN Presenting a Scale Model of HMS Westminster to the Lord Mayor of Westminster

(Photograph Crown Copyright)

Hugh Beard joined the Royal Navy in 1987 as a Naval College Entrant and gained his initial sea experience in HM Ships BRISTOL, PETEREL and CORNWALL before volunteering for service in submarines.  The highlight of his first submarine assignment in HMS TIRELESS was surfacing at the North Pole on 8 May 1991.  Appointed as Navigating Officer first to HMS TRENCHANT and then to HMS VICTORIOUS provided a broad variety of operational experience, which included another ICEX, the first Spearfish torpedo firings and four SSBN deterrent patrols.  

Completing Submarine Command Course or 'Perisher' in 1999, he joined HMS VENGEANCE in Barrow-in-Furness as Second in Command and conducted a test firing of a Trident missile before undertaking further operational patrols.  Advanced Command and Staff Course at Shrivenham in 2002/03 was followed by a tour in PJHQ J3 as the UK TLAM Officer, responsible for UK Tomahawk operations and policy development.

Promoted to Commander in Jan 05, he joined HMS TRENCHANT as CO for a hugely enjoyable and rewarding 27 months in Command.  More operational patrols followed as well as participation in the International Fleet Review in July 2005 plus another missile firing, this time the first successful UK Block IV TLAM.  Two years in Navy Command as the Submarine Scheduler, and original architect of the RN’s Medium Term Plan, preceded a fascinating 21 months in the Ministry of Defence in the Strategy Management (Programme) area.  As MOD Centre's lead programmer for Planning Round 10, the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Strategic Defence and Security Review and Planning Round 11, he had very privileged exposure to the politics and force level decisions behind Defence budget outcomes under both Labour and Coalition governments.  A short tour in FOST as Commander Submarine Sea Training preceded a return to Shrivenham for a stimulating 4 months on the Higher Command and Staff Course.

Selected for promotion to Captain in 2011, he joined HMS WESTMINSTER in Command in August 2012 and in his role as Captain Anti-Submarine Warfare.

He has a Masters Degree in Defence Studies from KCL and is a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

He and his wife Jenny live in Hampshire with their 3 rapidly growing children (18, 16, 12).  As well as spending as much time as possible with his family, Hugh enjoys reading, running and generally watching or participating in most sports, but particularly athletics, squash and, occasionally, golf.