The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has announced that Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher has been permanently appointed as the United Kingdom’s National Hydrographer and Deputy Chief Executive, effective 1 July 2021.

As National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher is the UK government’s representative at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), where he works to improve the sharing, standardisation and collection of marine geospatial data through international collaboration; setting and maintaining standards that protect the safety of mariners around the world.

His work will continue to involve the development of key national and international partnerships with UK and foreign navies, hydrographic offices, governments and commercial organisations to support the sharing of global marine geospatial data – spanning from seabed to surface, offshore and beyond.

Alongside Rear Admiral Hatcher’s duties as National Hydrographer and Director of Data Acquisition, his role now also includes the leadership and management responsibility for the Defence Team. This team oversees the UKHO’s vital work in supporting the UK’s national security by providing defence partners with the decision support, data and analytical expertise they need to conduct military operations.

Commenting on the appointment, Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said:

It is fantastic to announce the permanent appointment of Rhett Hatcher to the position of UK National Hydrographer and Deputy Chief Executive. Rhett has a wealth of Defence experience that allows him to understand the operational and relational context better than most. Additionally, he has well established and valuable links with Navy Command, our allies and across Whitehall. It made absolute sense to bring his work on the Data Acquisition and the Defence fronts together under one position and I look forward to working closely with Rhett and his teams to underpin the UKHO’s role as a world-leading centre for hydrography and marine geospatial data.

Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher said:

I am thrilled to be appointed as National Hydrographer at the UKHO, a world-leading centre for hydrography, and at the opportunity to expand my remit to include leadership of the UKHO Defence Team. It is a really exciting time to be in this role as we develop the next generation of digital navigation and ground-breaking projects in Military Data Gathering. I very much look forward to working with our partners as we improve safety of maritime navigation, maritime operational advantage and decision support, and marine development around the world.

As a serving officer in the Royal Navy, and prior to becoming the UKHO’s Director of Data Acquisition in September 2020, Rear Admiral Hatcher served as a Surface Warfare Officer and as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He has held a variety of command appointments, including HMS Penzance, Bulwark and Protector and 815 Naval Air Squadron. He has also held a number of staff roles, most recently as Deputy Director for International Security in the Ministry of Defence.

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

Three giant cranes have been assembled at the Sellafield SIXEP Continuity Plant site, on the Sellafield site.

It means the project can accelerate into the next construction phase, which will involve concrete pouring and erection of reinforcing steel.

But that’s just part of the story.

The plant is one of a portfolio of projects being delivered under our Programme and Projects Partnership model.

The model, which is unique in the UK construction industry, is transforming major project delivery at Sellafield. It brings together Kellog Brown and Root Ltd, Wood, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Doosan Babcock Ltd and Sellafield Ltd as the fifth partner.

And its impact goes way beyond just cranes and concrete.

The partnership is also driving improvements in procurement, design, environmental remediation, job creation, and social impact.

Because it’s a 20 year partnership, it creates certainty in the Sellafield project delivery environment.

That’s unlocking long-term investment in the site, giving security to supply chains, providing job opportunities, and generating significant savings for the UK taxpayer.

The SIXEP Continuity Plant cranes are a neat example of the approach. The partnership has banked savings of about £1 million by buying, rather than hiring, the cranes. And as an added benefit the cranes can be passed onto other Sellafield Ltd projects saving even more money in future.

The idea was taken from another Sellafield Ltd project – The Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant – demonstrating an additional partnership benefit: sharing learning across projects.

Jeremy Hunt, Sellafield Ltd’s head of projects, said:

It’s fantastic to see the SIXEP Continuity Plant project powering ahead.

The plant will play a vital role in delivering our mission to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.

The erection of the cranes is an important enabling step and a visible skyline change.

But the story behind it is even more crucial. Through the partnership we are transforming the way our major projects are delivered, creating benefits for our mission, our communities, and the local and national economies.

The aligned delivery team, led by our main construction partner Doosan Babcock, have worked really well with key suppliers Liebherr and PPS to undertake this work safely and efficiently.

I’d like to thanks everyone involved for their dedication and professionalism in achieving this milestone.

The new campaign offers free evidence-based support and guidance to those working towards a healthier weight. There are a variety of NHS endorsed apps which will help people to introduce changes that will help them eat better and get active this summer, including the newly updated NHS Weight Loss Plan app.

New research published by Public Health England (PHE) suggests that those who used and followed the NHS Weight Loss Plan app over 12 weeks, reported a loss on average of almost a stone (5.8kg).

The move follows a nationwide survey of over 5,000 adults which revealed that over 4 in 10 (41%) adults in England say they have put on weight since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Almost over half a stone (4.1kg) was gained on average by those who put on weight, with 1 in 5 (21%) reporting putting on a stone or more. In adults aged 35 to 65 years old, the average weight gain for those who put on weight rises to over 10lbs (4.6kg).

The new insights show the extent that lockdowns have impacted people’s eating and physical activity habits. Unhealthy eating habits, like snacking and comfort eating, were reported as the main contributor to weight gain during the pandemic for nearly half (46%) of those who reported gaining weight.

A high proportion (89%) of adults who said they gained weight since March 2020 said it was important for them to introduce new healthy habits this summer, with nearly half (49%) saying they would like to have a healthier diet. Half of adults (53%) feel optimistic about making the changes they desire, and a majority (57%) would welcome more advice on eating more healthily, ideas for doing so on a budget, and ideas for exercise routines.

Public health minister, Jo Churchill, said:

The pandemic has been hugely challenging for everyone and it has upended our daily routines. As we build back better in the months ahead, we want to make it easier for people to adopt a healthier lifestyle that works for them.

The brilliant Better Health campaign returns today and provides a wide range of tools – including an easy to use phone app – to support people, whether that’s losing weight, sharing healthier recipes or motivating people to be more active.

Our new Office for Health Promotion is going to keep building on the success of this campaign, helping people to make lifestyle choices that improves both their mental and physical health.

Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist, Public Health England said:

The past sixteen months have caused many to change their habits, so it is not a surprise to see so many people reporting weight gain.

We know how hard it can be to lose weight and keep it off – so, we are providing a range of support options to help motivate people and help them maintain a healthy weight. It’s never too late to make changes to help improve your health. Visit the Better Health website for ideas and support that is right for you and you can seek support from your local weight management service.

As part of the campaign, Linda Robson has talked about her experience with weight gain and unhealthy habits over lockdown. Having gained some weight since the start of the pandemic, Linda is looking to eat more healthily with the help of the Better Health apps.

Linda Robson, TV presenter and actress said:

I can definitely relate to having slipped a bit during lockdowns – in fact I actually gained over a stone myself! People shouldn’t feel guilty for having put on weight, especially after the year we’ve had – we’ve all had to just try and get through it the best we can. However, this summer I want to get my health on track and look to lose some weight. I know it can feel hard, but the Better Health apps are a great place to start, I’ve started eating some of the Better Health recipes – they are dead easy to do and taste great!

Better Health is also working in partnership with a number of weight management and physical activity partners who are providing both free and exclusive discounted offers. PHE is also working with local authorities to provide weight management support to those who need it.

The upcoming launch of the new Office for Health Promotion in Autumn will lead national efforts to level up the health of the nation by continuing to support people living with obesity, supporting mental health and promoting physical activity.

Search ‘Better Health’ or visit nhs.uk/betterhealth for free tools and support to start leading a healthier lifestyle today.