Commodore Will Warrender, Royal Navy

Will Warrender joined the Royal Navy in January 1988 and has served as a Navigator, Fighter Controller and Principal Warfare Officer in ships ranging from Minehunters to Aircraft Carriers. He has been fortunate to command 2 Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures vessels (CHIDDINGFOLD, CATTISTOCK), 2 Type 23 Frigates (ARGYLL, MONTROSE) and most recently the T45 Destroyer HMS DAUNTLESS, completing the first T45 deployment to the South Atlantic. Additionally he has been engaged on operations in the Gulf, Indian Ocean, North Atlantic, Mediterranean as well as on counter narcotic operations in the Caribbean and off West Africa.

During appointments ashore Commodore Warrender has served in the Ministry of Defence as the Programmer in the Directorate of Equipment Capability (Above Water Effects) where he was responsible for the programming and planning of the Royal Navy’s future capabilities, including the replacement Aircraft Carriers and Type 45 Destroyers. He also served on the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training as Commander Sea Training (CST). In a very enjoyable 15 months as CST, and latterly as Commander Mobile Sea Training, he was responsible for delivering over 30 periods of sea training to RN and foreign warships. Promoted to Captain in 2011, and following his Command of HMS DAUNTLESS, he returned to the MOD as the Assistant Head of the UK team in the Operations Directorate, responsible for the coordination of UK Counter Terrorism and Resilience Operations.

He returns to command in March 2015, as the United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander and Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain.  

A Younger Brother of Trinity House, a Freeman of the City of London and a graduate of the Higher Command and Staff Course, Commodore Warrender is a keen sportsman having represented the Royal Navy and Combined Services at hockey; with age catching up with him he is now an enthusiastic member of the RN Veterans team.