CDR (Ret) Jonathan (Jonty) Powis, RN

A fifth-generation naval man, Jonty served in the RN from 1974 – 2006.   He joined various ships from minesweeper to carrier before finding his metier in submarines from 1978.  After initial qualification appointments he specialised in navigation in 1981 and saw action in Falklands as the Navigation Officer of HMS Conqueror.  Passing Perisher in 1986, he was posted as command rider to HMS Splendid and then XO of HMS Resolution. He subsequently commanded HM Ships Unseen, Resolution and Victorious.  Once ashore – he served as follows:  UK Embassy in DC 1997-9, MoD London 99 – 02, NATO 02 – 06 where he ran the International Submarine Rescue Working Group 2002 – 2006.  He obtained his first degree in Physics and Astronomy in 2006 shortly after leaving the service.

In 2006 Jonty left the RN early and joined Rolls-Royce (Submarines) to lead development of the new Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) for UK, France and Norway but based in Scotland.  On completion he left RR in 2015 and set-up himself as a Maritime Contractor in his own company.  He is currently the Ops Director in The Britannia Maritime Aid.  He has been published on various maritime subjects and made several TV and Radio programmes as the presenter/talking head.

He is an enthusiastic supporter and fund raiser for the Sea Cadets.  Is Vice-Pres of TS Unseen (Filey N. Yorks) has been Pres of TS Glory (Horsham), Treasurer of TS Enterprise (Airdrie) and currently President of TS Kenya (Derby).

Since 2012 Jonty has lived in Swanwick Derbyshire with wife Maggie, plus stay at home daughter (Amy) and recently divorced son (Leo) & Sophie the staffie.  Older daughter (Megan) lives in New South Wales with her family.  All three offspring went to sea but only Leo is still seagoing in the Merchant Navy, (he is now the custodian of his great-great-grandfathers sextant).  Jonty and Maggie have 5 Grandsons (1 – 9) and 1 granddaughter (4) plus a step-granddaughter (7) spread from Australia to Derby.  Interests:  Steam Railways (I live 1m from the Midland Railway centre), Naval History, Astronomy, Opera, Cars DB9, 1934 Austin Seven and Volvo V70, rowing (member of Leander), sailing (sadly no yacht) & shooting.  NB. doesn’t garden or decorate unless forced to!