New Commanding Officer for HMS Raleigh

It’s the start of a new era at HMS Raleigh today as we welcomed our new Commanding Officer, Capt Suzi Nielsen, to Raleigh this morning.

The #Gould08s stood proudly at the main gate as Capt Nielsen arrived. They will complete their 10-week initial Naval training course later this week.

Capt Nielsen, aged 44, is no stranger to HMS Raleigh having served as the Commandant of the Defence Maritime Logistics School (DMLS). She was responsible for the successful transition of all Maritime Logistics training from Raleigh to the Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration (DCLPA) in Worthy Down earlier this year.

Capt Nielsen said: “It is such an honour and privilege to return to HMS Raleigh as the Commanding Officer; I couldn’t be more delighted. Whilst there is much to do as we look to increase our trainee numbers against the backdrop of COVID-19, I know that me and my excellent team are ready for the challenges ahead and will continue the outstanding work undertaken by my predecessor, Capt Rich Harris.”

Having joined the Royal Navy in 2004, Capt Nielsen’s first appointment after training was to HMS Chatham as the Deputy Logistics Officer. During her time on board the ship supported disaster relief operations off the coast of Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami.

Other highlights of Capt Nielsen’s career so far include an appointment to Britannia Royal Naval College in a training role, assignments to Whitehall and the Commando Helicopter Force, followed by an operational tour of Afghanistan. She returned to sea in 2011 as the Logistics Officer on board HMS Portland.

In 2016 she graduated from the Advanced Command and Staff Course with an MA in Defence Studies and was selected for promotion to Commander the same year. She assumed the role of Group Logistics Commander to the Commander Amphibious Task Group, responsible for the planned sustainment of the Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) and contingent operations.

Capt Nielsen was selected for promotion to Captain this year and replaces Capt Richard Harris as the Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh. Capt Harris left the establishment in August, after two years in charge, for a year of study at the Royal College of Defence Studies.

Source: HMS Raleigh