A FORMER Royal Navy Commander has joined a Wirral company as its new group corporate affairs director.

Phil Waterhouse comes to APCL Group with 'unparalleled' experience built up over a lifetime of leadership and service, with his appointment hailed as a major boost to the company’s ambitions.

Phil joined the Royal Navy as a junior sailor in 1982, progressing through the ranks before earning his commission in 1988.

He served in logistics command posts aboard warships including HMS Bulwark, HMS Beaver and the Cammell Laird built HMS Edinburgh and later also served as commander of the Defence Maritime Logistics School.

Promoted to Captain in 2013, he went on to be deputy commanding officer of Devonport naval base and commanded HMS Drake.

After promotion to Commodore, he assumed his previous assignment as Naval Regional Commander Northern England and the Isle of Man in early 2017, he became ADC to the Queen in 2018.

In his new role, Phil will be responsible for all political and stakeholder engagement, working with government and private enterprise to develop APCL’s profile in the marketplace.

He said: "I am so very pleased to be joining APCL at such an exciting time for the shipbuilding and ship repair industry, for our new Group collectively and for the different elements of the Group individually.

"With many years in the maritime and naval world, I hope that my experience and knowledge will contribute much across the APCL, to our many outputs, to our excellent people and to our many regional, national and international customers and stakeholders."

APCL Group is single 'umbrella' company comprised which has brought shipbuilding and ship repair businesses Cammell Laird and APCL together.

David McGinley, chief executive of APCL Group, said: "Phil Waterhouse’s choice to join us at such a significant period of our growth is, I believe, testimony to the formidable reputation we have within both the maritime industry and the UK Military.

"His professionalism, leadership and knowledge will be key drivers of APCL’s progress both now and in the future."