John “Sooty” Sutcliffe retired from active service in 2013 following an extensive career as a Lynx Observer and PWO(U). In his 25 years in operations he served in 10 ships and 3 squadrons where he narrowly avoided admonishments and awards in equal measures. In his last 10 years of service he enjoyed 2 tours in MoD Centre. First in Equipment Capability and then Policy and Commitments. He also enjoyed 3 years working for the USN in Washington DC in N8 Requirements which looked at the technology across the US maritime space. His final 3 years in service were spent in the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory managing the maritime and maritime research programme. Since leaving the Royal Navy, John has worked in defence industries and has sat on a variety of boards and committees.
