The Royal Navy has “shattered a century-old glass ceiling” by appointing its first female admiral.
Jude Terry, who has 25 years’ service around the globe and in the UK, takes the helm as Director of People and Training, and Naval Secretary.
The 48-year-old from Jersey says the ''numbers, breadth of talent and experience of women'' in the service means many more will reach the rank – and go higher.
Admiral Terry is now responsible for more than 40,000 regular and reservist sailors and Royal Marines and she is also in charge of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – who operate the Navy’s crucial support ships – plus civil servants and contractors.
Women have served in the Royal Navy since the Wrens in the First World War and have been going to sea since 1990.
Admiral Terry says the fact that she is a woman is irrelevant to her post and rank – simply that “someone has to be first”.
There are currently four female commodores - the next rank down - and 20 female captains.
Admiral Terry said: “The world has changed in terms of what people want from life and careers, whatever their gender, and the Navy needs to work to modernise our organisation to support this change – a diverse and inclusive workforce is a better place for all but is also proven to deliver better outcomes".
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key says Admiral Terry is “a great example of all the amazing women serving today – and a role model for all who serve and those who follow".
Since joining the Royal Navy in 1997, Admiral Terry has served aboard survey vessel HMS Scott, and spent two spells with helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the latter as Commander Logistics during operations in the Baltic and Gulf.
Admiral Terry also helped plan the withdrawal of UK fighting forces from Afghanistan - which involved reducing the footprint of 9,500 personnel to around 5,000.
“It is an absolute honour and privilege to assume the post of Director People and Training and Naval Secretary today,” Admiral Terry said.
“Our people and their families are at the heart of our ability to deliver on operations abroad and in the UK. I look forward to leading my team in supporting them, using modern approaches, helping us all to be the best we can be, and building on the work already done by my predecessor.
“Last week, when Vice Admiral Hine left as Second Sea Lord, he said: ‘You should strive to leave the Service in a better place than you found it’. I’m aiming to build on what we’ve done already to continue to do that.”
Admiral Terry joined the Navy as a 24-year old graduate and initially only planned to stay for eight years.
At the time, no female officer had commanded a warship. There were few role models, and fewer still with seagoing experience.
Admiral Terry said eight years turned into 25 because “if you enjoy your job, you keep on doing it”.
“I have been really lucky to have worked with some amazing people throughout my career and been supported by my family and friends and no two days are ever the same which is what I love about my job.”
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