WO1 Neil Simpson

Trustee

WO1 Neil Simpson joined the Royal Navy in July 1985 as a Junior Assistant Cook second class (JACK2) training at HMS Raleigh and St Omar Barracks in Aldershot.

On completion he joined HMS Dryad to complete his task book before being drafted to his first ship, the Leander Class Frigate HMS Diomede.

He then served in HMS Intrepid, HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan, before joining HMS Scylla, where he was promoted to Leading Cook. The next three years were spent on HMS Invincible and HMS Glasgow before joining the retinue staff of the Naval Secretary, CGRM and FOSF.

In 1998 WO1 Simpson joined HMS Illustrious, where he was promoted to Petty Officer before taking up the role of POCA in Gibraltar, a job he did for three years, gaining him promotion to CPO in 2003. On returning to the UK, he joined HMS Ark Royal and then HMS Gloucester.

Promotion to WO1 saw him join HMS Ocean in 2007 as the Logistics Officer Catering Services taking the ship through a period of deep maintenance, regeneration, and TAURUS 09 deployment before moving to FOST as L3.

In 2012, WO1 Simpson left the RN to pursue a career as a driving instructor. However, after two years, he decided his passion lay firmly with the RN and returned in the role of CBRNDCQ at FOST as FTRS for two years before moving to HMS Excellent to become the WO CAPPS career manager. It was during this period that he rejoined regular service, assuming the position of Executive Branch Career Manager.

WO1 Simpson joined HMS Northumberland as the Executive Warrant Officer in January 2022, completing three OP CETO deployments, before taking on his previous assignment as Command Warrant Officer to COMUKSTRKFOR in October 2023. WO1 Simpson was then selected to be the Fleet Commanders Warrant Officer, assuming his duties in October 2024.

Neil lives in Plymouth with his wife Vivienne and their two Labradors George and Padstow. He enjoys spending time at home with the family, walking the dogs, gardening, and general DIY.