Chairman’s Update

I find that as I turn over events in my mind there is a lot to reflect upon. Strategically, the AUKUS announcement in March is significant; as big as Polaris and as ambitious as anything in our lifetime. There will be much to discuss over the coming months in the Naval Review on this, and we need to be both champions and supportive critics of the teams responsible for the deep thinking and delivery. Then, on the day of International Women’s Day, I attended and spoke at the first NR lecture in Liverpool – timed to celebrate the launch of Battle of the Atlantic ‘80. Doing the research and reviewing the losses and the challenges was a valuable reminder that although we discuss war in the comfort of our lecture halls or offices the reality is brutal, tough and requires deep resilience. It also needs people to think and understand, and not be led by ego or emotional judgement. (Perhaps worth reading about the role that intelligent young women had in fashioning ASW tactics in the Western Approaches Tactics Unit (WATU) in Liverpool). Finally, the news of the passing of Admiral James Goldrick, RAN, was a profoundly sad moment – his life cut short by leukaemia. James was a deeply charming man, a clear thinker and a critical intellectual guide. He was also one of the leading contributors to the Naval Review and we mourn his passing.

The reason for this moment of reflection is that linking all of this is the need for, and value of, a steady maritime voice. A conduit for debate and discussion, for moderated passion and for alternative views – indeed the Naval Review. Over the last year or so, the Executive and Trustees have been reshaping the Review to make it a modern, credible and relevant offering. I confess our baseline was lower than I had realised on taking over so this has been something of a journey, if you understand my code. Notwithstanding, I am absolutely delighted that we now have a completely new website that is working well with so much more agility and capacity than we have had before. It is mobile phone, tablet, laptop and desktop compatible and I urge you to go online and enjoy the freedom it offers. It is also full of articles that will not be published in paper form, such is the richness that this medium gives us.

Turning to paper form, you are now reading this on our second project, the revised journal. I hope you like what drops through your letter box. We have worked with our publisher to achieve a freshness of approach but within a set of handrails of familiarity. The Editor and I have been very keen that it is still a premium product so we have kept production values high as we are very proud of the content and want to provide an attractive setting for considered thinking. We want you now to show this off – I am not sure about you but with this style I am beginning to feel that the Naval Review feels a little bit cool (or perhaps sophisticated!); it also feels very readable.

Behind such delivery there are things like a total transformation of the membership management system, and work in the heart of the operations that have taken many hours to deliver. He will feel awkward when I write this, but we all need to be deeply indebted to our CEO/Editor Mike Beardall for leading this charge and for our Secretary Treasurer, Emma Rowlands who has worked so hard in keeping up with the admin and mechanics. We are very lucky indeed to be blessed with both at this time. Finally, a warm thank you to two trustees – Commodore David Burns who has supported Emma and Mike in the back office, and to Captain Sarah Oakley (Commanding Officer of BRNC Dartmouth) for her championing of the Naval Review and also critical thinking amongst our young cadets.

But now what of the future – where have I set the next headmark? And this really needs your active engagement please.

March saw the first month for many years when more people joined the Naval Review than left. Such an important moment! One swallow doesn’t make a summer, however, so we must focus relentlessly on driving up our membership. We now have around 1,500 subscribers. I would like to drive that up to 2,000 core Serving or retired members over the next two years, but to do that I need you, all of you, to chase down Oppo’s, talk to junior officers, and advertise the Naval Review. Subscription brings income (as well as exposure) – income means we can invest in podcasts, commissioned articles and the general breadth and heft – and value for the Naval Review.

Alongside this I am leading a piece of work to look at how we can broaden our membership base. I value our independence but feel, reasonably fiercely, that we need to represent a broader church. If the First Sea Lord discusses the Art of the Admiralty, then the Naval Review should represent – at individual or corporate level – components of Academia, Business, Education, Policy and the Third Sector. War at sea, as the Battle of the Atlantic taught us, requires a unified integrated approach. My view is that the Naval Review should harness this broader debate for the education of our serving personnel and for those who support them. I would value your thoughts on the matter, in the NR Forum, by email or in private.

Alongside this the Board of Trustees are also looking at how we might increase corporate sponsorship and advertising. I feel this needs to be done carefully but it all adds to our income and should allow us to put the Naval Review on a more secure footing.

So, please read and engage and help us drive subscriptions up. Go on the website and engage in the Forum – now a vibrant debate space for all. When you have a moment I would welcome thoughts (and offers of help) around membership, sponsorship and advertising. And finally, I am still looking for a young (sub 35) Trustee and we would love some admin support for Mike and Emma if you have any ideas.

Thank you so much.

Clive Johnstone

Chairman