Sir Nigel Essenhigh | |
---|---|
Born |
Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
8 November 1944
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1963–2002 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held |
First Sea Lord Commander-in-Chief Fleet HMS Exeter HMS Nottingham |
Battles/wars | Gulf War |
Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Nigel Richard Essenhigh GCB, DL (born 8 November 1944) is a former Royal Navy officer who served as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2001 to 2002. He served as a navigating officer before commanding the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham and then the Type 42 destroyer HMS Exeter during the Gulf War. As First Sea Lord he entered into a contract to acquire up to 150 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the UK's two new aircraft carriers. In retirement he worked for Northrop Grumman and became a non-executive director of Babcock International. He remains a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon.
Essenhigh was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and educated at St. Cuthbert's School. He joined the Royal Navy in 1963 and, having been promoted to sub-lieutenant on 4 June 1965 and to lieutenant on 1 May 1967, he qualified as a principal warfare officer in 1972, specialising in navigation. He served as a navigating officer on the frigate HMS Juno and then the destroyer HMS Antrim before joining the staff of the Flag Officer Sea Training. Promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 May 1975, he was posted to the destroyer HMS Glasgow in 1978.