Maritime Reserves welcomes new leader in ceremony aboard HMS Victory
Command of the Royal Navy's Maritime Reserves has changed hands during a ceremony on board HMS Victory in Portsmouth.
Commodore Mel Robinson passed the baton to her successor, Commodore Jo Adey, who has served in both the Navy's regular and reserves for three decades, joining HMS Calliope in 1993 while studying at Newcastle University.
"It's a real honour to be returning to my roots, coming back as Commander of the Maritime Reserves, to work with the exceptional people who make up the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve," Cdre Adey said.
The new Maritime Reserves leader has been a full-time sailor since 2004, serving as a training manager, including overseeing training at HMS Raleigh.
Cdre Adey recently scaled up her already impressive resumé by graduating from the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
She has taken over the command of the 3,270 men and women in the Maritime Reserves which is made up of the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Marines Reserve.
Her predecessor, Cdre Robinson, took charge of the Maritime Reserves at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in February 2020.
Cdre Robinson has served in the Royal Navy for more than 30 years and was among the first women to go to sea and command a warship.
"I'm grateful to Commodore Mel for all the work she's done to modernise the Maritime Reserves and I'm looking forward to continuing this progress and getting to know the organisation better over the coming weeks and months," Cdre Adey said.
The Navy says Cdre Robinson was tasked with a "once-in-a-generation transformation" of the Maritime Reserves and, under her leadership, she has modernised the reserves, replacing outdated structures and processes from the Cold War era.
Cdre Robinson introduced a regional training model, with the addition of new fast boats in 'waterfront hubs' around the country where reservists can access hands-on training at a much earlier stage in their career.
This allows reserves to familiarise themselves with the basic seamanship skills that they need to operate alongside regular counterparts, getting them on a warship at sea, as soon as they join.
Under her command, the Maritime Reserves also digitised administrative processes, meaning reservists can now manage their careers, training courses and pay online through their phones and tablets.
Reflecting on her time in the role, Cdre Robinson said: "I am extremely proud of what Maritime Reservists have achieved together over the past three years – against the backdrop of the most difficult circumstances we’ve faced for a generation; a global pandemic, a demanding fiscal environment, conflict in Europe, the list goes on.
"Reservists met these challenges head on, whilst working with me to deliver a complex change programme on an unprecedented scale – and at pace.
"Serving as Commander of this exceptional part of the Royal Navy has been the highlight of my career, and I wish Commodore Adey, and her husband Richard, every success as she assumes the role of the next Commander of the Maritime Reserves."
Rear Admiral Jude Terry, who has senior leadership responsibility for the Maritime Reserves in her role as Director Personnel and Training, added: "The Maritime Reserves under Commodore Mel's leadership have built a well-earned reputation for the assured delivery of capability to the Royal Navy.
"As she completes her 30-year career, I wish Mel and her family every success for the future."
Adm Terry continued: "Commodore Jo's return to the Maritime Reserves demonstrates the utility and opportunity of the zig-zag career pathway.
"Having spent the past 12 months broadening her awareness and understanding of higher defence issues as a member of the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, I'm delighted that Commodore Jo is back in the Reserve family and very much looking forward to working with her to support the Maritime Reserves as the organisation goes from strength to strength."
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