Trinity House congratulates retired Deputy Master Captain Sir Ian McNaught KCVO MNM on being promoted by His Majesty The King to Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). The award was part of the King's Birthday Honours list 2024, published on 14 June.
Captain McNaught became Deputy Master in November 2011; he served in that role for over a decade before retiring in February 2024. He retains his position as an Elder Brother of Trinity House.
During his time as the head of the Corporation, Captain McNaught oversaw a period of steady growth that brought in—among other things—greater collaboration with the other General Lighthouse Authorities of the UK and Ireland. He also championed sustainability and innovation in the provision of aids to navigation and strong working relations with its funding partners in the maritime charity sector.
He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in Her Majesty The Queen’s 2019 New Year Honours in recognition of his service. Queen Victoria founded The Royal Victorian Order in 1896; all awards bestowed as part of the Order are given at the discretion of the Sovereign.
Remarking on the award, Captain Sir Ian said:
"It is a huge honour to receive this award from His Majesty for my time as the head of Trinity House. Likewise, it was an enormous privilege to be the head of such a fantastic organisation, and I want to reiterate my gratitude to everyone that works so hard to maintain its well-earned reputation as an invaluable part of the nation’s maritime life."
Deputy Master Rear Admiral Iain Lower CB offered his congratulations:
“This is a great outcome and much deserved. Ian’s affable nature and modernising spirit were key to making Trinity House a great place to work and a much-respected name in the UK’s maritime sector and beyond. Even in retirement, he continues to be a very active supporter of Trinity House.”
Trinity House
Trinity House is a maritime safety and welfare organisation that works for the benefit and safety of all mariners as a General Lighthouse Authority and maritime charity.
As a General Lighthouse Authority, it operates marine aids to navigation that are critical to the safety of ships and seafarers, providing an essential service for the prosperity of our island nation.
As a self-funding maritime charity, it provides education, support and welfare to the seafaring community.
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Neil Jones, Communications Manager