Ben Martin MBE

Defence Shipbuilding Lead, National Shipbuilding Office @ National Shipbuilding Office

About

Royal Navy Commander with 20+ years’ experience leading complex operations, delivering high-value defence programmes, and operating at the intersection of military capability, Government policy, and industrial delivery.Currently serving as Defence Shipbuilding Lead within the UK Ministry of Defence’s National Shipbuilding Office, working across Government, industry, and the Royal Navy to help shape policy supporting the future of the UK maritime sector. Focused on aligning defence capability, industrial resilience, and commercially deliverable outcomes to strengthen long-term national security.Previously led complex defence programmes valued in excess of £300M and commanded multidisciplinary teams operating strategic assets valued at over £1B on global operations supporting UK and NATO defence.Awarded an MBE and QCVS for leadership and service under pressure.Experienced in translating strategic intent into executable outcomes within high-pressure environments, with a growing focus on defence industrial strategy, commercial dynamics, and policy-to-delivery alignment.Core strengths:- Delivering complex, high-value programmes in demanding operational environments. - Aligning strategy, capability, policy, and delivery across multiple stakeholders.Leading high-performing teams through uncertainty and change.- Engaging effectively across Defence, Government, industry, and international partners. - Driving innovation, pace, and risk-informed decision-making in complex systems.

Country

United Kingdom

City

Portsmouth

Industry

Military

Skill

Innovation and Technology Integration , Defence Capability and Acquisition , Commercial Awareness, Defence and Government Relations, Capability Development, Resource and Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning, Risk and Assurance Management, Project and Programme Governance, Teamwork, NATO and Joint Operations, Safety and Risk Management, Performance Management, Operational Readiness Delivery, Change and Transformation Leadership, Executive Leadership, Team Development and Mentoring, Organisational Culture and Resilience, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Crisis and Change Management

Experience

Defence Shipbuilding Lead, National Shipbuilding Office

National Shipbuilding Office

2026-4 - Present · 6 mos

• Developing and delivering policy shaping the future of the UK defence shipbuilding sector, aligning Government ambition with defence capability, industrial resilience, and long-term commercial growth. • Operating across Government, industry, and military stakeholders to help translate strategic intent into credible and deliverable outcomes. • Providing a serving Royal Navy operational perspective within policy development, ensuring defence requirements, operational realities, and future capability needs are reflected. • Engaging with defence industry, SMEs, and the wider maritime enterprise to understand delivery challenges, commercial drivers, and sector risks impacting the UK shipbuilding ecosystem. Current focus areas: • Maritime capability and defence industrial strategy. • Policy-to-delivery alignment. • Sector resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness.

Programme Manager

Royal Navy

2024-6 - 2026-5 · 2 yrs

Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

Accountable for multiple £multi-million capability programmes across the UK Surface Flotilla, driving operational readiness, innovation, and capability improvement initiatives. Oversee programme governance, stakeholder engagement, and risk management at enterprise scale, ensuring alignment with strategic Defence priorities and sustainable performance outcomes.

Commanding Officer, HMS DUNCAN (Type 45 Destroyer)

Royal Navy

2022-1 - 2024-3 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Commanded a £1B+ air-defence destroyer and 220 personnel on NATO operations across Europe. Delivered operational success and strategic engagement in complex, multinational environments, recognised as Best Destroyer Crew 2023.  Directed crisis response, readiness, and leadership development across multi-disciplinary teams in high-pressure, high-stakes settings.

Commanding Officer, HM Ships PEMBROKE, BANGOR, BLYTH (Sandown Class Minehunters)

Royal Navy

2018-11 - 2021-8 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Led Royal Navy mine countermeasure vessels operating across UK waters, the Gulf, and the Baltic. Integrated with NATO and coalition partners to deliver sustained operational success and readiness. Recognised as Best MCM Crew 2019 and awarded an MBE (2020) for leadership and service.

Plans Officer, UK Carrier Strike Group

Royal Navy

2017-1 - 2018-8 · 1 yr 8 mos

Designed and executed operational plans for the UK’s flagship multinational task group, integrating maritime, air, and land components. Coordinated across UK and international partners to deliver joint operations, ensuring coherence between strategic intent and tactical execution.

Earlier Royal Navy Assignments

Royal Navy

2005-5 - 2017-1 · 11 yrs 9 mos

Held a range of seagoing and staff assignments across UK and international operations.  Delivered leadership and operational success in warfare, training, and capability development roles at sea and ashore.  Built extensive experience in joint operations, planning, and personnel development.  Progressed through roles as Officer of the Watch (OOW), Fighter Controller (FC), Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) and Air Warfare Officer AWO. Consistently recognised for performance and leadership potential.