Matthew Thom

Joined 2021

Born in Portsmouth and raised in a Naval family it was inevitable that Mathew would join the Royal Navy. He began his career in the first Officer entry of the 21st century in January 2000 and graduated from Brittania Royal Naval College in December of the same year, joining the Fleet as a Warfare Officer.

Initial professional training was undertaken on the destroyer HMS NOTTINGHAM during her operational sea training period in UK waters. Specialist navigational training was subsequently conducted on the minehunter HMS CATTISTOCK during a deployment from Portsmouth to the Arabian Gulf as part of mine countermeasures task force in support of EX SAIF SAREEA off the coast of Oman. Additional navigational experience was also gained with the Gibraltar Squadron before successfully passing the Junior Warfare Officers Course, which entitled him to conduct a bridge watch on any RN surface ship.
Seeking further adventure, he volunteered for submarine service and in September 2002 started his training before joining the SSBN, HMS VICTORIOUS. During 2004 and 2005 he was awarded his ‘dolphins’ and deployed on four deterrent operations before retiring from regular service to marry.

Missing the cut and thrust of military life Mathew joined the Royal Navy Reserve in 2010 as a Maritime Intelligence officer. On completion of specialist training, he deployed on OP ELLAMY in a J2 role in support of NATO operations in Libya spending six months at NATO JFHQ in Naples. On his return he was recruited to design and deliver training for reservists joining the Maritime Intelligence specialisation. During 2016 and 2017 he was employed at the Maritime Information Fusion Centre where he ran the Mediterranean desk supporting RN deployed assets in that region before being appointed 2i/c of the cell. He remains a Reservist.

Mathew lives in Eastbourne with his wife and young daughter. He enjoys being outdoors and particularly enjoys strenuous activities on the beach and downs, plays a reasonable guitar and loves a game of backgammon.