Andrew Murdoch (civil servant)
Andrew Murdoch | |
|---|---|
Murdoch on 18 March 2022 | |
| Governor of Bermuda | |
| Assumed office 22 January 2025 | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
| Premier | Edward David Burt |
| Preceded by | Rena Lalgie |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1990–2011 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands | Director of the Naval Legal Services |
Andrew Murdoch CMG is a British civil servant serving as the Governor of Bermuda since 22 January 2025. Murdoch is also a barrister and has served as a commissioned officer in the British Royal Navy. Murdoch achieved the rank of commander[1] and left the Royal Navy after serving as the Director of the Naval Legal Services from 2009 to 2011.
Career
Early life and education
Murdoch grew up on the coast, and spent his teenage years working on commercial fishing boats before becoming a sea cadet.[2] He studied Geology at Durham University, graduating in 1994.[3]
Naval and legal career
From 1990 to 1998 Murdoch was a midshipman in the Royal Navy as the deputy logistics officer of the HMS Campbeltown.[4] As a lieutenant, Murdoch underwent legal training to become a barrister.[4] He served as the Assistant Chief Naval Judge Advocate from 2001 to 2002.[4] Then from 2003 to 2004 he was the logistics officer of the HMS York.[4]
Murdoch would continue to rise in the ranks of the navy's legal department, as from 2004 to 2005 he was the Higher Authority Legal Advisor for the Navy. From 2006 to 2008 he was a lieutenant commander and Deputy Fleet Legal Advisor before being appointed Fleet Legal Adviser.[4] During the Iraq War from 2008 to 2009 he was the Coalition Maritime Force legal advisor in Bahrain.[4] Murdoch finally reached the top of the naval legal ladder, serving as Director of the Naval Legal Services from 2009 to 2011.[4] Murdoch would leave the Royal Navy as a commander.[5]
Afterwards, from 2011 to 2014 he was a legal advisor to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for International Institutions and Security Policy.[4] Then from 2015 to 2016 he was the legal director of the FCO's International Institutions and Security Policy.[4] Starting from 2016 he is the Legal Director and Director of Ocean Policy of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.[4]
Governor of Bermuda
On 18 September 2024, Murdoch was appointed the Governor of Bermuda.[4]
Murdoch was sworn in as governor on 22 January 2025 and pledged to be “approachable and accessible” and that he looked forward to cooperating with the Bermudan government.[2] Murdoch also highlighted in his inauguration speech that Bermuda is on the front-lines of climate change and that he is passionate about working on the essential protection of the Bermudan ecosystem.[2] Murdoch's celebrity cat, Palmerston, formerly the Chief Mouser of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, accompanied him to Bermuda.[6]
On 31 January 2025 he announced that he was accepting résumés for members of the public to become one of the three independent senators appointed by the governor, encouraging any “qualified persons” to put forward their credentials.[7]
Murdoch congratulated Premier David Burt on 19 February 2025, after the 2025 Bermudian general election, stating that “I would like to record my thanks to all those who enabled a safe, peaceful and democratic electoral process.”[8]
Murdoch's first official tour of the Royal Bermuda Regiment occurred on 6 March 2025, where he visited cadets at Warwick Camp, performing their fitness test, and the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard base in Sandys.[9]
Murdoch was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2025 Birthday Honours.[10]
References
- ^ "Andrew Murdoch". The London Conference. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
He left the Royal Navy as a Commander [SIC]...
- ^ a b c Lagan, Sarah (23 January 2025). "New Governor vows to be approachable and accessible". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "King's Birthday Honours 2025". Durham University. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Change of Governor of Bermuda: Andrew Murdoch". gov.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "Andrew Murdoch". The London Conference. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
He left the Royal Navy as a Commander and head of international law, having served in legal and operational roles including as legal adviser to frontline units.
- ^ Catt, Helen (5 February 2025). "Ex-Foreign Office cat starts job in Bermuda". BBC. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ Hendrickson, Sékou (31 January 2025). "Governor welcomes résumés for aspiring senators". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "Governor Murdoch Congratulates Premier Burt". Bernews. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ Soloman, Alva (6 March 2025). "Governor makes first official tour of the Regiment". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "No. 64759". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 2025. p. B3.