Peter Sparkes

Biography

Peter Sparkes joined UKHO as National Hydrographer in October 2019 and became Acting Chief Executive the following July. Peter was permanent Chief Executive from April 2021 to May 2024.

As Chief Executive, Peter led the organisation’s important work in supporting safe, secure and thriving oceans. Before joining the UKHO Peter served as a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, where he worked in a wide variety of appointments, both at sea on operations and ashore. Notably, he commanded the frigate HMS CUMBERLAND on counter-piracy patrol off Somalia and the UK’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, in Antarctica. In addition to this, he commanded the 44 units (aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, mine-hunters, patrol vessels, and the maritime explosive ordinance disposal teams) of the Portsmouth Flotilla. Ashore, Peter Sparkes has served in Ministry of Defence acquisition appointments and was responsible for the development and introduction into RN service of the Warship Electronic Charting Display Information System. Prior to joining UKHO he served as the Chief of Defence Staff’s liaison officer in the Pentagon, Washington DC.