Captain Simon Cox OBE ADC RN has just taken over as Captain Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

He is semi-local, hailing from Bodmin and his specialisation is as a Warfare Officer responsible for the navigation, tactical operation and safety of a warship or submarine.

They make critical strategic decisions, manage weapons and sensor systems and lead teams of sailors during missions.

The College motto is “Lead with Courage” and it dominates Dartmouth Estuary.

Captain Cox gave us a brief insight into his time in the Royal Navy so far: “I would describe my career as the jack of all trades, which means I've served in pretty much every class of ship I've completed nearly every deployment we traditionally do in the Royal Navy which gives me it's given me a fantastic career where I've travelled the world and worked with our international allies and partners, as well as the Air Force and Army.

“Really varied and exciting- North Pole, South Pole but predominantly it's been commanding warships for the last 10 years.”

“Everything from mine hunters to patrol vessels, squadrons, a task group out in the Middle East, and I was even the commander of the aircraft carrier, Prince of Wales, so a little bit of everything.”

Captain Cox explained that as officers they were given the opportunity to continually gain experience and progress.

“I think there is an enduring trend through any nature of command,” he said.

“One of the best things about the Navy is actually we invest in our people and their leadership skills throughout, so whether it's a small patrol vessel, you've got to grow those commanding officers. They're eventually going to be the next captains of aircraft carriers.

“The complexity subtly builds, and that's the capacity we build in our future leaders of the Royal Navy.”

Asked if one command stood out above the rest, Captain Cox said each role had brought its own rewards.

“I take away the operational effectiveness of the simple ‘can do” and amazing adaptability in some of the mine hunting ships that have been around for so long but with the carriers, the potency, the strategic conventional deterrence that an aircraft carrier and a Task Group brings.

“I would take different things from each of those commands.”

Captain Cox is Cornish but doesn’t come from a Naval family: “My family were farmers up on Bodmin Moor. I knew I wanted to join the Navy and it's proved to be a fantastic career that has taken me across the world and I’ve done many brilliant things with so many amazing people. I wouldn't change a thing.”

Captain Cox said his priority would be continuing the high standards established by his predecessors: “I’m likely to serve here between two and three years, depending on sequencing. I think my job here is to continue the excellence that's been delivered previously. We've got a clear mandate from the First Sea Lord and from Defence on what we want to get after.

“We know that modern warfare is changing at an increasing pace but the most important part are the people in the Navy and the leadership of that amazing technology.

“That is an enduring trend.”