The Chairman and Trustees of The Maritime Foundation are delighted to announce the appointment of Commander Sue Eagles QVRM RD RNR as the Foundation’s new Director.

Sue, who served in Defence Public Relations in the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve for over 30 years, is widely recognised as a leading communications specialist with a wealth of experience in high level policy arenas in the military and the media.

As NATO media spokesman in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2006 and a former Head of the RNR Public Affairs Branch she is uniquely qualified to shape the Foundation’s future direction and strategy over the next five years.

“I am very pleased to be appointed to this crucial role” said Sue. “It is a challenging prospect particularly following this week’s Strategic Defence and Security Review. The nation needs to be clear about its international role and the importance of its maritime strategy in reviving our global commercial and economic interests.”

During her operational tours in Afghanistan Sue travelled extensively throughout the country with international media organisations and was decorated in the New Year’s Honours in 2008 with the Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal.

In April 2010, Sue was also awarded a Commander-in-Chief Fleet’s Commendation for her vision and creativity in her role as Communications Director for last year’s Royal Navy’s Centenary of Naval Aviation. Her citation said “Sue achieved outstanding success devising and implementing a sustained communications and media campaign to raise the profile of Naval Aviation generating considerable goodwill with multiple stakeholders, infusing and styling all the key events and ensuring the year’s reputation and success.”

Sue, who lives in Sherborne, Dorset, also holds the Reserves Decoration, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.