Sir Nigel Essenhigh | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Admiral Essenhigh (centre) in 2013 | |
| Born | 8 November 1944 Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1963–2002 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | First Sea Lord Commander-in-Chief Fleet HMS Exeter HMS Nottingham |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Nigel Richard Essenhigh GCB, DL (born 8 November 1944) is a former Royal Navy officer who served as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 2001 to 2002. He served as a navigating officer before commanding the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham and then the Type 42 destroyer HMS Exeter during the Gulf War. As First Sea Lord he entered into a contract to acquire up to 150 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the UK's two new aircraft carriers. In retirement he worked for Northrop Grumman and became a non-executive director of Babcock International. He remains a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon.