Alistair Hardaker | Image: Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE
Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell will succeed Admiral Sir Trevor Soar as chair of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust in November 2026.
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has announced the appointment of Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE as its next chair. Sir Martin will take up the position in November 2026, succeeding Admiral Sir Trevor Soar KCB OBE DL after ten years in post.
The appointment follows the Trust’s 40th anniversary and the launch of a 10-year strategy. Sir Martin retired after 38 years in the Royal Navy, during which he held senior leadership roles including Second Sea Lord. He commanded HMS Chatham earlier in his career.
Sir Martin Connell said: “The Trust has set a clear and ambitious course for the future, and I am excited to work with the Trustees, staff, volunteers, and partners to help deliver it.”
During his naval career, Sir Martin served as Deputy and Interim Chief of the Royal Navy, led force generation and training of 40,000 personnel, and acted as Senior Responsible Owner for the UK Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier Programme. He has also served as Naval Attaché at the British Embassy in Washington DC and commanded the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.
His board experience includes Chair of Greenwich Hospital Advisory Board, Vice Chair of the Naval Children’s Charity and Non-Executive Director of the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Sir Trevor Soar was appointed in 2016. He said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair during such a formative period for the Trust. We have achieved a great deal together and I am proud of the organisation Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has become.
“Sir Martin brings a wealth of experience and a genuine connection to Chatham, and I am confident he will build on this strong platform in the years ahead.”
